Manchester, June 12: Ireland are preparing for their fifth T20 World Cup, but one thing has eluded them in their four previous appearances in the tournament – a win.
They have exited in 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2023 as the bottom side in their group and have lost all 17 games they have played in those four editions of the competition.
While they missed out completely in 2024 as they failed to qualify, they are back in 2026 and ready to break new ground in England.
They face Scotland in their opening game at Old Trafford on Saturday, hoping to break their duck and end that unwanted winless record.
Captain Gaby Lewis, who has recovered from a quad injury to play in her fourth World Cup, was keen to acknowledge the big hurdle her side are desperate to try and finally clear. “We’ve yet to have a win in a World Cup and that is a big thing that is hanging over us,” she told BBC. “We really want to push to do that and get a couple of wins and not have to qualify for the next one.”
Scotland first up
‘massive’ for Ireland
It would be fitting if Ireland’s first win in the T20 World Cup came against the Scots given they denied the Irish a place in the tournament two years ago as they pulled off a shock victory to reach the tournament for the first time.
Lewis said there was “major heartbreak” in the Ireland camp after that sore defeat that forced the squad to have to watch the World Cup from home. Ireland are in a better place now and come into the tournament off the back of a productive Tri-Nations series in Clontarf where they beat both Pakistan and the West Indies.
“The series was a great success, we’ve got the results behind us. Confidence is high and that’s exactly what you want going into a World Cup,” Lewis added.
The Ireland side are ranked ninth in the world but are in a tough Group B which also has hosts England, holders New Zealand, Sri Lanka and West Indies alongside the Scots.
They will face all five sides with the top two in the group moving through to the semi-finals where they will face the top two from Group A.
Scotland won by 39 runs the last time the two sides met in Nepal in January and Lewis believes getting off to a good start in their first game is “massive” for Ireland in terms of momentum.
Aus vs SA: A 2023
final rematch
The afternoon fixture brings a massive Group A clash between six-time champions Australia and South Africa at Old Trafford. This marks the first major tournament clash between the powerhouse Aussies and the Proteas since South Africa fell to Australia in the 2023 T20 World Cup Final. Analysts point out that Australia’s “aura of invincibility” is under its biggest test yet as rival nations have grown significantly stronger
Australia has a critical injury narrative surrounding young batting star Phoebe Litchfield. She missed the final warm-up matches with a quad issue, but head coach Shelley Nitschke stated the team is confident she will be fit for the XI on Saturday. South Africa will lean on the historic return of veteran speedster Shabnim Ismail to spearhead their bowling unit as they look to finally overcome their bridesmaid tag after reaching the finals of the last three global ICC events without a trophy.
Holders NZ look
to double down
The last game of the in Southampton pits Group B heavyweight West Indies against New Zealand.
New Zealand enters the tournament as the defending T20 World Cup champions. They are aiming to assert dominance in an incredibly open group that also features hosts England. West Indies, though easily brushed aside by Australia in their final warm-up game by 6 wickets, remains an explosive tournament wildcard capable of an upset.
New Zealand’s squad is high on confidence following a thrilling 5-wicket warm-up victory over South Africa.
West Indies will need their veterans to find instant chemistry at the Utilita Bowl to stave off the disciplined Kiwi bowling attack. (Agencies)
