Ireland decide to bat vs England

Laura Delany mentioned Ireland had been “itching to get out there” after selecting to bat first of their T20 World Cup opener towards England at Boland Park in Paarl.

“It looks like a really good wicket,” Delany mentioned, on a baking-hot afternoon within the South African sunshine. “Our preparation has gone quite well. Morale is definitely up. There’s a really good energy and buzz around the group.”

They picked the identical XI that beat Australia, with three spinners hoping that the pitch will turn into more and more dry because the afternoon wears on.

The squad adopted the public sale earlier than the sport, watching Sophia Dunkley, Nat Sciver-Brunt and Sophie Ecclestone choose up profitable contracts. Several England gamers – together with captain Heather Knight – had been unsold within the first spherical of bidding, however may appeal to consumers throughout the recreation itself.

England: 1 Danni Wyatt, 2 Sophia Dunkley, 3 Alice Capsey, 4 Nat Sciver-Brunt, 5 Heather Knight (capt), 6 Amy Jones (wk), 7 Katherine Sciver-Brunt, 8 Sophie Ecclestone, 9 Charlie Dean, 10 Sarah Glenn, 11 Lauren Bell

Ireland: 1 Amy Hunter, 2 Gaby Lewis, 3 Orla Prendergast, 4 Laura Delany (capt), 5 Eimear Richardson, 6 Louise Little, 7 Mary Waldron (wk), 8 Leah Paul, 9 Arlene Kelly, 10 Cara Murray, 11 Jane Maguire