The ICC U19s Women’s T20 World Cup in 2025, which will take place in Malaysia from January 13 to February 2, will feature a squad of 15 players. The 16-team competition is only being staged for the second time; the first one, which India won, took place in South Africa in 2023. A competitive group comprising the United States, Pakistan, and England (the 2023 runners-up) has been selected for Ireland.
The team’s ten members—Amy Hunter, Abbi Harrison, Jennifer Jackson, Niamh MacNulty, Kia McCartney, Ellie McGee, Julie McNally, Freya Sargent, Annabel Squires, and Aimee Maguire—have all participated in the inaugural event. Additionally, Alice Tector played for the senior team in their historic ODI victories against England and Sri Lanka during the home summer, while Hunter, Sargent, and Maguire were part of Ireland Senior Women’s recent 3-0 T20I series victory away in Bangladesh.
Before reaching Malaysia on January 11, the Irish team will go to Dubai for a training camp on January 3 and play friendly matches against Scotland and the United Arab Emirates. The two official warm-up matches they will play before competition are against the Malaysia U19 Women and the South Africa U19 Women.
Ireland U19s Women’s squad
Amy Hunter (c), Abbi Harrison, Jennifer Jackson, Niamh MacNulty (vc), Aimee Maguire, Lara McBride, Kia McCartney, Ellie McGee, Julie McNally, Lucy Neely, Freya Sargent (vc), Millie Spence, Annabel Squires, Alice Tector, Alice Walsh.
Travelling reserve: Rebecca Lowe
Non-travelling reserves: Síbha Bhoja, Ally Boucher, Genevieve Morrissey
Coaching and support staff: Glenn Querl (Head Coach), James Cameron-Dow (Assistant Coach), Nigel Jones (Team Manager), Stuart Thompson (Strength & Conditioning), Julia Webster (Physiotherapist), Alison White (Team Doctor).
Under-19s World Cup fixtures (Group B)
18 January 2025: Ireland U19s Women v England U19s Women (10.30am) – Johor Cricket Academy Ground
20 January 2025: Ireland U19s Women v USA U19s Women (10.30am) – Johor Cricket Academy Ground
22 January 2025: Ireland U19s Women v Pakistan U19s Women (10.30am) – Johor Cricket Academy Ground
Ireland’s Under-19 Women’s Head Coach Glenn Querl stated: “Our players are extremely excited about the chance to compete in the Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in Malaysia.” It is a major turning point in their cricketing careers. A few players participated in the first competition in 2023. They will be able to use their experience to help the younger players along the way, which is crucial.
This team has proven to be incredibly talented, committed, and resilient during our preparations. Our recent trip to South Africa may not have gone as planned, but the important lessons we learnt there have greatly aided in our growth. Every game has yielded knowledge that will surely improve our performance and team relationships. As we prepare for the competition in Malaysia, we are confident that these experiences have strengthened our bond as a team and will help us reach new heights. This group has enormous potential, and we can’t wait to demonstrate our development on a worldwide scale.
National Talent Pathway Manager, Albert van der Merwe, added: “It is a great opportunity for our players to participate in a global event. These tournaments and tours will give the players a great insight on what professional sport is about. They will not only get to play against some of the best players around the world, but also experience different cultures and playing conditions that will hopefully make them more rounded sportswomen. I wish Glenn [Querl] and his team the very best. They have trained incredibly hard as a squad over the last year, and we will be watching on with keen interest in January.”
India
