Ireland chooses to bat against England in their T20 World Cup opener.

Ireland chooses to bat against England.

After opting to bat first in their T20 World Cup opening against England at Boland Park in Paarl, Ireland Laura Delany remarked that the Irish were “itching to get out there.”

“It appears to be a really excellent wicket,” Delany observed on a sweltering afternoon in the South African sun. “Our preparation has gone fairly well. The morale has certainly improved. There is a lot of positive energy and buzz within the group.”

Ireland have not participated in a Women’s T20 World Cup match since 2018 and are winless in their three prior appearances. But expectations are greater this time, especially following a shocking warm-up victory over the defending champions Australia.

They selected the same eleven that defeated Australia, with three spinners in the hopes that the surface may dry up as the afternoon progresses.

With the maiden Women’s Premier League auction taking place in the backdrop and posing a novel challenge, England remained unaltered from their opener game victory over the West Indies.

Before the game, the team observed Sophia Dunkley, Nat Sciver-Bruns, and Sophie Ecclestone secure rich contracts at auction. Several England players, including captain Heather Knight, remained unsold after the initial round of bidding, although they may find buyers during the actual game.

England: Danni Wyatt, Sophia Dunkley, Alice Capsey, in that order. 5 Heather Knight, 4 Nat Sciver-Brune (capt), Emily Jones (wk), 7 Katherine Sciver-Brunt, 8 Sophie Ecclestone, 9 Charlie Dean, 10 Sarah Glenn, 11 Lauren Bell

1 Amy Hunter, 2 Gaby Lewis, 3 Orla Prendergast, 4 Laura Delany (captain), 5 Eimear Richardson for Ireland. Six Louise Little and seven Mary Waldron (wk), 8, 9, 10, 11, Leah Paul, Arlene Kelly, Cara Murray, Jane Maguire