Ireland includes two uncapped players and recalls Lara Maritz for Emerging Nations Trophy in UAE

Ireland’s squad for the ICC Emerging Nations Trophy in the UAE includes two uncapped players and sees the return of Lara Maritz, who last played for the national team five years ago.

Seam bowling all-rounder Zara Craig, 23, and wicketkeeper-batter Abbi Harrison, 20, have both been called up, hoping to make their international debuts. Craig, who plays for Eglinton and Phoenix, has progressed through the Irish talent pathway and was part of the 2023 Women’s Under-19s T20 World Cup squad. Harrison, a Waringstown player, participated in the 2023 and 2025 editions of the Women’s Under-19s T20 World Cup.

Lara Maritz, 25, returns to international duty after a four-year absence. She made her debut in 2017 and has 43 caps to her name, with her last appearance for Ireland coming in 2021. The squad also includes Kia McCartney, who has five One Day International caps but has yet to make her T20 International debut.

Gaby Lewis will captain the 14-player squad, with Amy Hunter stepping up as vice-captain in place of Orla Prendergast. Prendergast has been granted permission to miss the tournament to play in the Women’s Big Bash League in Australia.

Rebecca Stokell will not be available due to a “voluntary suspension” after acknowledging an inadvertent breach of reporting requirements related to prescription medication. Leah Paul has also made herself unavailable for the tournament, while Christina Coulter Reilly is sidelined with injury.

The Emerging Nations Trophy runs from 12 to 25 November and features 10 teams, including five Full Members and five Associate nations. Thailand won the previous edition, which involved only Associate teams. Ireland will open their campaign against Sri Lanka on 12 November before facing Papua New Guinea, the United Arab Emirates, and Scotland in Group A.

Graeme West, Director of High Performance at Cricket Ireland, said the tournament provides the Performance Squad a chance to apply lessons from recent training programs in a competitive environment. He added the event offers a platform against teams sharing Ireland’s ambition to break into the top six rankings, which will be important as preparations continue for the next T20 World Cup in 2028.

Ireland’s squad for the Emerging Nations Trophy is Gaby Lewis (captain), Amy Hunter (vice-captain), Zara Craig, Alana Dalzell, Laura Delany, Georgina Dempsey, Abbi Harrison, Louise Little, Aimee Maguire, Jane Maguire, Lara Maritz, Lara McBride, Kia McCartney, and Cara Murray.

According to Yahoo Sports.