The versatile Georgina Dempsey is back in the Ireland squad for next month’s Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa.
The 18-year-old missed the Pakistan tour in November due to school commitments.
Ireland, whose last T20 World Cup appearance was in 2018, will face England, Pakistan, West Indies and India in their group matches.
The top two teams in the group will advance to the semi-finals.
Laura Delany will captain a 15-man squad which also includes Belfast schoolgirl Amy Hunter, who is currently in South Africa in charge of Ireland in the inaugural Women’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup years.
National coach Carrie Archer said: “We haven’t been to a global tournament since 2018 – while we came heartbreakingly close in qualifying in 2019 we ultimately fell short, so qualifying this year was a felt like redemption and reward for the hard work the players, coaches and support staff put in.
“The average age of the team is just 24, with most players aged between 17 and 23. This age profile is an exciting aspect for Irish cricket as this group will hopefully stay , for a few more years and will only get better with time.”
Ireland will play four warm-up matches in South Africa – two against Bangladesh before facing Sri Lanka and Australia – ahead of their opener against England on February 13.
Ireland matches in Group B
February 13: Ireland – England (Paarl)
February 15: Ireland – Pakistan (Cape Town)
February 17: Ireland – West Indies (Cape Town)
February 20: Ireland – India (Port Elizabeth)
Ireland team: Laura Delany (captain), Georgina Dempsey, Amy Hunter, Shauna Kavanagh, Arlene Kelly, Gaby Lewis, Louise Little, Sophie MacMahon, Jane Maguire, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast, Eimear Richardson, Rebecca Stokell, Mary Waldron.
