Joanna Loughran receives her first call-up when Ireland women’s team is announced for Scotland white-ball series.

Joanna Loughran was a member of the Ireland Under-19 Women’s team that competed in the ICC Under-19 Women’s Cricket World Cup in South in February. In 2023, Joanna Loughran experienced a breakthrough year that culminated in her Evoke Super Series debut.

Ireland Women will meet Scotland Women in a historic five-match, multi-format series in Desert Springs, Spain, from October 17–24, 2023, according to a 15-player roster announced by Cricket Ireland.

Three one-day internationals and two T20 internationals will be played as part of the “Women’s ODI & T20I Celtic Challenge”; the ODIs will mark Scotland’s first ODI matches following the country’s official ODI status in 2022.

Ireland Women’s Head Coach, Ed Joyce, stated: “By the time we begin the Scotland series, it will have been two months since our last international match. We had a busy international summer with two tours and a home series against Australia. Therefore, as we prepare for a significant 2024—a year that includes a T20 World Cup for which we undoubtedly want to qualify—this series is unquestionably timely.

“This squad’s strength is that, despite its youth, it still has a sizeable group of seasoned players, who are supplemented by a few up-and-coming players who are given the opportunity to gain knowledge and experience from travelling.

Joanna Loughran, a wicketkeeper-batter for the Leinster Cricket Club, gets her maiden senior squad call-up.

“Seam bowling all-arounder Alana Dalzell, who plays for Brewster, is back in the senior lineup after appearing in Ireland’s one and only match against South Africa last year. Freya Sargent, 17, of Clontarf is also included because during the most recent Netherlands series, she wowed coaches and selectors with her consistency and sense of the game. Scotland presents a challenging challenge every time, and we anticipate a challenging series next month.

Scotland vs. Ireland Women Schedule

First One-Day International: Ireland Women vs. Scotland Women, October 17, Desert Springs, 10.30 a.m.

Second One-Day International: Ireland Women vs. Scotland Women (Desert Springs; 10:30am) on October 19.

Ireland Women vs. Scotland Women, 3rd ODI, October 21 (Desert Springs; 10:30am start time).

Ireland Women vs. Scotland Women – First T20I, October 23 (Desert Springs, 2:00 PM)

Ireland Women vs. Scotland Women – 2nd T20I (Desert Springs; starts at 2pm) on October 24.

Women’s Ireland team for Scotland series

Ava Canning, Alana Dalzell, Georgina Dempsey, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Gaby Lewis, Louise Little, Joanna Loughran, Sophie MacMahon, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast, Freya Sargent, Rebecca Stokell, and Laura Delany (c) are just a few of the women featured.