Ireland women's captain Delany ruled out of ODI series against Sri Lanka

After a historic first-ever T20 international win against Sri Lanka women, the Ireland women have been struck with bad news as their long-time skipper Laura Delany has been ruled out of the ODI series between the two sides, starting with the first game on August 16 in Belfast. 

“Delany rolled her ankle in the field on Tuesday (August 13) sustaining suspected ligament damage. She underwent scans today and has been ruled out of the three ODIs,” a press release by Cricket Ireland read. 

The three matches of the ODI series are a part of the ICC Women’s ODI Championship. The rankings in this championship decide the team’s journey towards the Women’s ODI World Cup, which will take place in India in 2025. 

Gaby Lewis, who scored a splendid century in the second T20I to take the Irish women home, has been given the added responsibility of leading the side in Delany’s absence. Jane Maguire has replaced Delany as a player while Orla Prendergast has been named interim vice-captain.

Una Raymond-Hoey, who suffered from a low-grade muscle tear in the first T20I, has been replaced by Sarah Forbes for the ODI series. 

“It’s a blow whenever you lose a member of your squad to injury, but to lose the captain – our most experienced player – has required a fundamental rethink of our tactics. Gaby has led before in Laura’s absence. She is an excellent leader so I’m very comfortable with her stepping in to lead for the ODI series,” Ed Joyce, Head Coach of Ireland Women said. 

“Jane Maguire comes into the ODI squad after performing well with the ball during the T20Is. She was unlucky not to make the original squad, but that is possibly a good sign for Ireland as it demonstrates the depth of talent that we are developing here and that competition for places is pushing up our standards,” added the former Ireland men’s captain. 

Sri Lanka, who missed their regular skipper Chamari Athapaththu in the T20I series, will be relieved to have her services in the ODI leg of the tour. 

Ireland Women’s ODI squad:

Gaby Lewis ( c ), Ava Canning, Alana Dalzell, Sarah Forbes, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Joanna Loughran, Aimee Maguire, Jane Maguire, Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast, Freya Sargent, Rebecca Stokell, Alice Tector

Sri Lanka Women's ODI Squad:

Chamari Athapaththu ( c ), Vishmi Gunaratne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Hasini Perera, Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshi Silva, Anushka Sanjeewani, Kawya Kavindi, Udeshika Prabodhani, Achini Kulasuriya, Sugandika Kumari, Sachini Nisansala, Inoshi Fernando, Shashini Gimhani, Ama Kanchana, Kaushini Nuthyangana

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