Photo Credit: Sportsfile
Tomorrow is the start of the eagerly-anticipated one-day international series between Ireland Women and world champions, Australia – a match that may see a ‘sibling-led’ boost for Ireland with Jane and Aimee Maguire in contention to make their first appearance in the same international match.
The sisters play their club cricket for The Hills Cricket Club and for the Scorchers in the Evoke Super Series.
Earlier this year, older sister Jane was forced to withdraw from the Caribbean tour with her place taken in the squad by younger sister Aimee.
Jane Maguire, 20, made her international debut in 2021 and has 25 caps to date across the white-ball formats.
Aimee Maguire, 16, made her international debut earlier this month in St Lucia and played four matches against the West Indies on that tour.
Speaking ahead of the series, Jane Maguire said:
“It’s great to be back after fully recovering from my injury and really eager to get going with the series. Preparations have been going well – the girls had a few days off after the West Indies trip, but we are all back now and have been working hard and looking forward to get going as a unit.”
Asked about her international cricket journey to date, she said:
“Getting to play with the best in Ireland and against the best in the world means you can constantly learn something new every series or tour. Everyone has different knowledge to share and different skills to demonstrate, and being able to chat to opposition players and hear about their experiences is incredibly rewarding.
“I still have to admit that I’m a little surprised with the opportunities that has sport has given me. I joined cricket as a kid to have fun and make friends – now, I am so grateful to be able to travel the world with my friends playing a sport I love.
“In terms of my best day so far, I’d have to say the World Cup qualifiers semi-final against Zimbabwe would have to be up there. The excitement of knowing that we qualified and were going to a World Cup was a special moment.”
As part of the team that beat Australia in a warm-up match earlier this year at the T20 World Cup, she said:
“While it was a warm-up, it’s not every day you can say we beat the best team in the world. We had a lot of positives in that game, so if we play the way we want to play you never know what results may happen in this series.”
Despite missing the tour with an injury, Jane was in St Lucia on the day her sister Aimee made her debut – how proud a moment was that for Jane and her family?
“It was such a proud moment for the whole family, it’s always exciting to present a debutant with their cap, but even more special that it was my sister! I’m very grateful that I was able to be there to give it to her.”
Aimee Maguire was also speaking ahead of the seres:
“Making my international debut was definitely an exciting time, and to receive my debut cap from Jane definitely meant a lot. I have always looked up to her as my big sister and I wouldn’t have asked for a better person to present me with my first cap
“As for the Caribbean tour, I had an opportunity to train and play like a professional athlete for three weeks which I really enjoyed. I took a lot of inspiration from playing against some of the best players in the world like Hayley Matthews.”
About her pathway into cricket, she said:
“I started playing cricket at the age of 5. I grew up around the club watching my dad and sisters play. I just suddenly got thrown onto the field when Jane’s team were short players one day – and loved it. I wasn’t always a spinner, though, I use to be a seam bowler until about 18 months ago. I started bowling spin in January 2022 – I definitely did not imagine myself being a spin bowler, but definitely happy I have now changed.”
And about the series ahead?
“It’s definitely exiting to be a part of the series, as it’s not everyday day that you get to play against Australia and it’s exciting to be playing in my first home series with all my family and friends here to support. But above all, I’m definitely looking forward to hopefully getting to play with Jane for the first time internationally. That would be incredible.”
THE SERIES
The first match is already sold out with the third match close to sell out as well.
Fixtures
• 23 July: Ireland Women v Australia Women – 1st ODI (Clontarf, start 10.45am; SOLD OUT)
• 25 July: Ireland Women v Australia Women – 2nd ODI (Clontarf, start 10.45am)
• 28 July: Ireland Women v Australia Women – 3rd ODI (Clontarf, start 10.45am)
With limited capacity and high demand anticipated, fans should purchase tickets as early as possible to not miss out (one match is already sold out). Tickets can be purchased from: https://bit.ly/441e5lo
Broadcast details
• Republic of Ireland: Premier Sports Ireland
• UK: www.icc.tv
• Australia: www.icc.tv
• USA: Willow TV
• Canada: ATN
• India: Fancode
• Rest of the world: www.icc.tv
Livescoring
Follow the games via Cricket Ireland’s Match Centre.
Ireland Women’s squad
Laura Delany (captain), Ava Canning, Georgina Dempsey, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Gaby Lewis, Louise Little, Jane Maguire, Aimee Maguire, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast, Rebecca Stokell, Mary Waldron.
