Alice Tector has been drafted into Ireland’s squad for the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup as an injury replacement for Laura Delany. The 18-year-old will also be part of Ireland’s preparations for the tournament, including the tri-series featuring West Indies and Pakistan that begins on May 28.
The exact nature of Delany’s injury has not yet been revealed, but it is serious enough to rule the experienced all-rounder out of both the World Cup and the preparatory series. Her absence comes as a significant blow to Ireland’s campaign given her vast experience and consistent contributions over the years.
Delany is Ireland’s most experienced women’s T20 international cricketer, having represented the country in 132 matches. The 33-year-old has scored 1,659 runs and claimed 96 wickets in the format, making her one of the side’s most dependable performers with both bat and ball.
Meanwhile, Tector is still awaiting her T20I debut but has already featured in five One-Day Internationals for Ireland since making her international debut against Sri Lanka in 2024. The youngster is regarded as one of Ireland’s promising emerging talents and now has a golden opportunity to gain valuable experience on the global stage.
Ireland face a challenging task at the Women’s T20 World Cup after being placed in a tough group alongside hosts England, West Indies, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, and Scotland. Ireland will begin their campaign against Scotland at Old Trafford on June 13.
“We are all devastated for Laura – she’s one of the toughest competitors that has ever played for Ireland Women and we wish her well with her recovery. Alice herself has had to deal with injuries over the last 12 months, but has shown a great temperament since returning to play in 2026,” Graeme West Director of High Performance at Cricket Ireland said in a statement.
Ireland squad for the T20 World Cup 2026:
Gaby Lewis (c), Orla Prendergast (vc), Ava Canning, Christina Coulter Reilly, Alana Dalzell, Georgina Dempsey, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Louise Little, Aimee Maguire, Lara McBride, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Rebecca Stokell, Alice Tector
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