World Cup spot the long-term target as Ireland host West Indies for three-match series
Ireland women’s squad has been confirmed for the three-match ODI series against West Indies in Bready – with a World Cup spot the future goal.
It marks the start of Ireland’s ICC Women’s Championship campaign, with fixtures over July 10, 12 and 15 from 10.45 each morning.
The recent meeting between the two nations finished with a six-wicket Ireland win over West Indies across the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
IRELAND WOMEN: Gaby Lewis (captain), Christina Coulter Reilly, Alana Dalzell, Sarah Forbes, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Louise Little, Aimee Maguire, Jane Maguire, Kia McCartney, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast (vice-captain), Rebecca Stokell.
The ICC Women’s Championship will help determine qualification spots for the World Cup in 2029, with 10 Full Member nations involved across eight three-match one-day internationals.
Ireland’s home dates will be against West indies, India, New Zealand and Pakistan – with away series facing England, Australia, Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka) for a total of 24 ODIs within the Championship cycle set to end on February 28.
The points system is as follows: two per win, one per tie/no result/abandoned match, zero per loss.
If teams finish level on points the standings will be determined by greatest number of wins, highest net run rate across all Championship fixtures, most points in head-to-head matches, highest net run rate in head-to-head matches or original Championship seeding (if still tied).
The Women’s Cricket World Cup in 2029 will feature 10 teams, with eight enjoying automatic qualification – the host nation (provided it is a full member participating in the Championship) then next seven highest-ranked teams in the final Championship standings after February 28.
If the host ends within the top seven, qualification will pass to the next highest-ranked eligible team.
The remaining two World Cup spots will be settled over a six-team qualifier from the three lowest-ranked teams in the Championship and additional sides determined by ICC Women’s ODI Rankings based on a qualification cut-off date.