England 'just humans' as Ireland target ODI upset

Ireland and captain Gaby Lewis have felt the highs and the lows this summer.

A disappointing T20 World Cup campaign ended on a high with a victory over the West Indies.

That was a first win at a Women's T20 World Cup, and it was sandwiched in between the historic series win for Ireland's men over India at Stormont in a famous weekend for Irish cricket.

But, inspired the in-form Hayley Matthews, the West Indies got their revenge in a between the sides in July with a clean sweep of a three-game one-day international series.

Now, Ireland head to England for a three-match 50-over series with England in the ICC Women's Championship as they look to stun the World Cup semi-finalists in their own back yard.

After a historic summer despite the loss to the West Indies, Lewis believes trying to build on that momentum is key as the ICC Championship plays a role in the qualification pathway for the next World Cup.

"We've had a very successful summer. That does make it easier in the camp and confidence is high," she said before Tuesday's opener with England.

"Spirits are high and we're just looking forward to playing some more cricket for Ireland."

After the West Indies defeated Ireland in the longer 50-over format, Lewis believes mental adjustment from T20 cricket is key.

"I think if you look at our wickets, it was most often us getting ourselves out than them getting us out," she said on the West Indies defeat.

"Fifty overs is about building partnerships and I think we did that to an extent, but then it's just about pushing on and being selfish on that, and to take the responsibility to push on the game.

"That is the mental side of things with going from 20 overs to 50 overs, is can you do the basic skills for longer periods?".

The opening ODI takes place on Tuesday in Leicester before the remaining matches in Derby on Friday and Worcester on Sunday.

A training match against an England development side on Saturday was impacted by the weather, and Lewis said some Dublin-based players had some travel issues due to the weather.

But everyone made it to Leicester, and Lloyd Tennant's side are now raring to go.

Ireland will be facing an England side who still pose a big threat despite deciding to rest a number of players.

Captain Nat Sciver-Brunt and Danni Wyatt-Hodge will both miss the series as they manage injury concerns, while Sophie Ecclestone, Amy Jones and Lauren Bell are also absent.

The uncapped duo of Grace Potts and wicketkeeper-batter Kira Chathli are included, as are all-rounder Charis Pavely, Tilly Corteen-Coleman and the returning Ryana MacDonald-Gay.

Lewis says those coming into the side are "high quality", but they don't fear the threat of England.

She points to the summer of 2024, when Ireland beat England in the T20 format for a famous win.

"It can build confidence if you do well against them, and no doubt we will," Lewis said.

"It's about what we can control and, at the end of the day, they are just humans too and you never know what can happen on a day."