Irish taking 'great confidence' into Bangladesh series

Gaby Lewis was named Ireland captain in October

Captain Gaby Lewis believes that Ireland will take “great confidence” into their series with Bangladesh after beating England in September.

The Irish squad open their six-match tour with the first of three ODIs between the sides at Dhaka’s Sher-e-Bangla Stadium on Wednesday, before a three-match T20 series.

It will be their first competitive fixture since September’s maiden T20 victory over England.

"I’m really looking forward to this series and we’re really looking forward, hopefully, to dominating it," Lewis told BBC Sport NI.

'A really exciting time'

Ireland’s T20 victory against England was achieved by a five-wicket margin.

The result represented a historic milestone for Ireland women’s cricket and should increase the team’s confidence going forward against a Bangladesh side who are ranked one place above them at number nine for T20 games.

Lewis was made permanent Ireland captain in October, taking over from Laura Delany, who had held the position since 2016.

Delany suffered an ankle injury which she sustained during a T20 series against Sri Lanka in August, affording Lewis the opportunity to become skipper for the series against Sri Lanka and England.

Lewis outlined her belief that Irish women’s cricket could be entering a new era following their famous victory two months ago.

"With the change of leadership, it’s a really exciting time going into a new championship cycle," she said.

"We had great confidence from the summer so we’re really looking forward to this series and it’s great to have Laura back from injury and Uma Raymond-Hoey back and a few changes to the ODI squad. So really looking forward to the series and getting started out here."

As Lewis alluded to, part of what makes this a new dawn for the Irish women’s national team is the change of leadership. Being awarded the captaincy for her country is the honour of a lifetime for the 23-year-old, who feels up to the task.

"Growing up as a little girl I think it wasn’t really something that I thought of, it was just playing for Ireland.

"Having got a chance to lead in domestic and the youth stuff, it’s definitely something I felt natural doing and I saw myself doing."

'Mentors as predecessors'

Laura Delany was the previous captain of the Ireland women's team

Lewis credits her predecessors as mentors as she steps into her new role.

"Having Laura as such a role model and learning off her and having the likes of Izzy Joyce as well, playing under those two has been great, and I look up to them hugely.

"Having Laura on the team, she’ll be great to work with and be there to share advice and her experience as well will be crucial in these conditions.”

Lewis believes that the two sides are equally matched.

"I think it’s a team we’ve come neck to neck with over the last 10 years, especially in qualifying tournaments.

"Seeing how far we’ve come over the last year, I’m really looking forward to this series."

Ireland Women ODI Squad: Gaby Lewis (captain) (Phoenix), Ava Canning (Leinster), Christina Coulter Reilly (Clontarf), Laura Delany (Leinster), Sarah Forbes (Pembroke), Amy Hunter (Instonians/Malahide), Arlene Kelly (Malahide), Aimee Maguire (The Hills), Jane Maguire (The Hills), Cara Murray (Waringstown/Clontarf), Leah Paul (Merrion), Orla Prendergast (Pembroke), Una Raymond-Hoey (Ringwood), Freya Sargent (Clontarf), Alice Tector (Phoenix).

Ireland Women T20 Squad: Gaby Lewis (captain) (Phoenix), Ava Canning (Leinster), Christina Coulter Reilly (Clontarf), Laura Delany (Leinster), Sarah Forbes (Pembroke), Amy Hunter (Instonians/Malahide), Arlene Kelly (Malahide), Aimee Maguire (The Hills), Jane Maguire (The Hills), Cara Murray (Waringstown/Clontarf), Leah Paul (Merrion), Orla Prendergast (Pembroke), Una Raymond-Hoey (Ringwood), Freya Sargent (Clontarf), Rebecca Stokell (Merrion).