Irish women out to live up to favourites tag

Cricket: After two postponements the Ireland women's team finally get their World Cup qualification campaign under way against Pakistan in Stellenbosch today.

The tournament was moved to South Africa after the International Cricket Council decided the political unrest in Pakistan posed too much of a safety risk.

The top two teams from the eight nations participating will earn a place in next year's World Cup, with Ireland a favourite to book their ticket to Australia.

Much of that confidence comes from their performances in the corresponding tournament four years ago in Holland, where Ireland won all five matches, including an eight-wicket victory over today's opponents.

And with seven of that squad still involved, and eight from the 2005 World Cup, Ireland certainly don't lack experience.

Captain Heather Whelan has a huge role to play with the new ball, while her sister, Jill, has blossomed into a genuine all-rounder.

IRELAND (squad): H Whelan (YMCA, capt), C Beggs (Malahide), J Carroll (Clontarf), N Coffey (YMCA), M Herbert (Malahide), C Joyce (Merrion), I Joyce (Merrion), A Linehan (Downpatrick), C Metcalfe (Pembroke), E Nolan (YMCA), E Richardson (Leinster), M Scott-Hayward (North Kildare), C Shillington (Malahide), J Whelan (Merrion).

FIXTURES - Pool A - Today: v Pakistan; Tomorrow: v Scotland; Thursday: v Zimbabwe.

© 2008 The Irish Times

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times