Gaby Lewis to Captain Ireland at Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy as Lara Maritz Returns

Cricket Ireland on 6 November named a 14-player squad, led by Gaby Lewis, for the ICC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy, which runs in Ajman, UAE, from 12 to 25 November. Amy Hunter is vice-captain and all-rounder Lara Maritz returns after five years away. Two of the 14, Zara Craig and Abbi Harrison, have yet to play for the senior side.

Recall and new faces

Maritz made her Ireland debut in 2017 and has 43 international appearances, but she last played for her country in 2021. Craig, 23, is a seam-bowling all-rounder who was part of Ireland's squad at the 2023 Women's Under-19 T20 World Cup. Harrison, a 20-year-old wicketkeeper-batter, played at the 2023 and 2025 editions of that tournament. Kia McCartney, who has five ODI caps, is still waiting for her first T20 international.

Several regulars are missing. Orla Prendergast has been allowed to skip the event to play in the Women's Big Bash League in Australia. Graeme West, Cricket Ireland's Director of High Performance, said the WBBL experience would "elevate Orla's game" and benefit Ireland in turn. Leah Paul is unavailable, Christina Coulter Reilly is injured and Rebecca Stokell is also absent.

West pointed out that Ireland have no international cricket scheduled until March next year, and called the tournament “the perfect opportunity” for the board’s Performance Squad.

Squad

Gaby Lewis (captain), Amy Hunter (vice-captain), Zara Craig, Alana Dalzell, Laura Delany, Georgina Dempsey, Abbi Harrison, Louise Little, Aimee Maguire, Jane Maguire, Lara Maritz, Lara McBride, Kia McCartney, Cara Murray.

The tournament

This is the second edition of the Emerging Nations Trophy and the first with ten teams. Five Full Members (Bangladesh, Ireland, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe) join five Associates (the Netherlands, Papua New Guinea, Scotland, Thailand and the UAE). Thailand won the first edition on home soil in 2025. They finished level on points with Scotland, the Netherlands and the UAE and took the title on net run rate.

Ireland are in Group A with Sri Lanka, the UAE, Papua New Guinea and Scotland. They play Sri Lanka on 12 November and Papua New Guinea on 16 November at the Karwan Sports Club ground, and the UAE on 13 November and Scotland on 18 November at Seven Districts Sports Club. A Super Six stage on 20, 22 and 23 November follows the groups, and the final is on 25 November.