Ireland To Host Women's World T20 Qualifier In 2013

Ireland To Host Women's World T20 Qualifier In 2013

Pictured here is Cecelia Joyce, whose sister Isobel Joyce captains the Ireland team.

©International Cricket Council

Ireland has been chosen to host the 2013 ICC Women's World Twenty20 Qualifier, where eight teams will compete for the one remaining spot at the 2014 tournament in Bangladesh.

Reigning champions Australia, hosts Bangladesh, former champions England as well as India, New Zealand, South Africa and the West Indies have already qualified.

Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Ireland, Canada, Japan and the Netherlands will join Ireland as well as qualifiers from Africa and America for the tournament, which will be held in July and August of 2013.

"It's fantastic news for Irish cricket and a tremendous boost for the promotion of the women's game throughout the country," Cricket Ireland Chief Executive said.

"Ireland has proved itself to be a great venue for hosting global tournaments, having staged the 2005 ICC Trophy, the 2008 ICC World Twenty20 Qualifiers and the 2010 ICC Under 19 Global Qualifiers very successfully. We're delighted that ICC has awarded us this competition and I'm certain it will be a wonderful occasion."
 
ICC Global Development Manager Tim Anderson added: "The ICC is pleased to announce Ireland as the host of the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier in 2013.

"The ongoing improvement of Women’s cricket is an important strategic objective of the ICC, and with Ireland’s track record of hosting ICC events, we are confident this important qualifying competition will be played in very good conditions, with excellent hospitality." 
 
Irish women's captain Isobel Joyce said: "This gives everyone involved in Irish women's cricket a great lift and it's a great incentive for the players to have the chance to make it to the final stages of a global event.

"We're already training hard for the event and while it's obviously a big advantage to be playing in our conditions, we know it'll be very difficult against teams of the quality of Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Having said that, we've a fantastic balance in the squad now of youth and experience and there's no reason why we can't grab the last slot on offer."

© Cricket World 2012