Ireland vice-captain Amy Hunter is confident her team’s emerging players can make an impact at the ICC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy 2026, despite the absence of star all-rounder Orla Prendergast.
The 10-team tournament takes place in the United Arab Emirates from November 12 to 25, with Ireland fielding a squad that combines experienced internationals and promising youngsters.
Prendergast, ranked fifth among T20I all-rounders, is unavailable due to her Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) commitments with Brisbane Heat. Her absence creates opportunities for less experienced players, including Abbi Harrison and Zara Craig, who impressed at recent ICC Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cups.
Hunter will serve as vice-captain under Gaby Lewis, with Laura Delany and Lara Maritz providing additional experience.
Amy Hunter Confident in Ireland’s Squad Depth
Hunter believes the tournament offers younger players a chance to demonstrate their abilities at senior international level.
“It is a relatively inexperienced squad but that presents some pretty cool opportunities,” Hunter told Cricket Ireland. “I think to be able to call on the likes of Laura Delany and Lara Maritz into the team, it demonstrates the depth that we have.”
The wicketkeeper-batter also highlighted the possibility of international debuts, with several players looking to establish themselves in Ireland’s future plans.
“We also have some possible debutants as well. So it just presents opportunities to different players to perform under pressure and really put their hands up in future to get their name on the shirt,” she said.
“Every game we go into, we look to compete as best we can and ultimately win, so that will still be our goal for this tournament.”
Ireland Aim for Super Six Qualification
Ireland have been drawn in Group A alongside Sri Lanka, Scotland, Papua New Guinea and hosts United Arab Emirates. Their campaign begins against Sri Lanka on November 12, with the top three teams from each group advancing to the Super Six stage.
Group B features Bangladesh, Pakistan, Zimbabwe, Netherlands and Thailand. The two leading teams from the Super Six phase will contest the final on November 25.
The expanded competition brings together five ICC Full Member nations and five Associate teams, giving Ireland an opportunity to test their squad against opponents with different levels of international experience.
Hunter Eager for T20 Return After ODI-Focused Summer
The tournament will be Hunter’s first international T20 assignment since the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, held in England and Wales from June 12 to July 5. Hunter played five matches during that competition before Ireland shifted their attention to One-Day cricket.
“I can’t wait to get going again in T20 cricket,” she said.
“We’ve had a bit of a break from it now, since the (T20) World Cup in June.”
Ireland ended their World Cup campaign with a victory over West Indies, a result Hunter hopes will provide confidence heading into the Emerging Nations Trophy.
“We had a big win against the West Indies in that last game of the (T20) World Cup, so hopefully we can carry that momentum into the Emerging Nations.”
Ireland Squad for ICC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy 2026
Ireland have named a 14-player squad captained by Gaby Lewis, with Amy Hunter appointed vice-captain.
Ireland 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 and Cara Murray.
Although Prendergast’s absence leaves Ireland without a key all-rounder, Hunter believes the squad has enough quality to compete for Super Six qualification.
The opening match against Sri Lanka will provide an early indication of how Ireland’s combination of experienced players and emerging talent performs under tournament pressure.
