Ireland chase a long-awaited World Cup breakthrough

In a nutshell: Ireland have been remarkably consistent in this T20 World Cup cycle. Having missed the 2024 edition, they arrive in England with renewed hope and a 0-16 record in T20 World Cups to overturn. Familiarity with English conditions from domestic cricket should help.

A clean sweep of the Europe Division 1 Qualifier was followed by a smooth run at the Global Qualifier in Nepal. Whitewashes in Bangladesh and at home against Zimbabwe set the tone, while a 2-1 series win over Pakistan last August was a sign of progress. Ireland have used just 20 players in T20Is this cycle, reflecting a settled squad, though games against top teams have been rare.

Squad: Gaby Lewis (c), Orla Prendergast (vc), Ava Canning, Christina Coulter Reilly, Alana Dalzell, Georgina Dempsey, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Louise Little, Aimee Maguire, Lara McBride, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Rebecca Stokell, Alice Tector

Best XI: Amy Hunter (wk), Alana Dalzell, Gaby Lewis (c), Orla Prendergast, Rebecca Stokell, Leah Paul, Louise Little, Ava Canning, Arlene Kelly, Aimee Maguire, Cara Murray

Players to watch:

Orla Prendergast: Dynamic with the bat and clever with the ball, Prendergast has quickly become the face of Irish women's cricket. She showed her match-winning ability in the win over West Indies in the recent tri-series. She is Ireland's second-highest run-scorer and wicket-taker this cycle.

Gaby Lewis: Returning from injury, Ireland's captain is the country's most prolific T20I run-scorer with over 3,000 runs, having debuted at age 13 in 2014. Her returns at the top will be crucial.

What's in the news: Lewis missed the tri-series against West Indies and Pakistan with injury but is expected to be fit for the opener against Scotland on June 13. Former captain Laura Delany is ruled out with injury, replaced by Alice Tector.

Where they finished in 2024: Did not qualify for the 2024 tournament, losing to Scotland in the qualifier semifinal. Had a winless group stage in 2023.

Since then: Ireland's record in 25 completed T20Is this cycle is 19-6. Only four wins came against teams ranked above them. They haven't faced England, New Zealand, or Sri Lanka – all opponents in this World Cup.

The big game: A rivalry match against Scotland, who knocked them out of qualifiers in 2024. The game against West Indies in Bristol could be decisive, especially after Ireland beat the 2016 champions by one run via DLS in a recent tri-series.

A record in sight: Orla Prendergast needs 127 runs to become the second Irish woman to reach 2,000 T20I runs.

Realistic expectation: Ireland have never been better placed to record their first T20 World Cup win, but need plenty to go their way to contend for a semifinal spot.