T20 World Cup Qualifier: Irish ‘fearless and aggressive’ – Delany

Ireland captain Laura Delany has promised her side’s approach in the forthcoming Women’s World Cup T20 Qualifier will be “fearless and aggressive”.

The Irish, coached by former Ireland and England batter Ed Joyce, will face familiar opposition in the group stage of the tournament in the form of Zimbabwe and the Netherlands in Abu Dhabi.

They will open their campaign against the United Arab Emirates on Thursday and will also play Vanuatu.

A total of 10 teams are chasing two spots at this year’s World Cup in Bangladesh in September and October.

“They [the United Arab Emirates] are playing in home conditions, that’s always an advantage for any team,” said Delany of her side’s opener.

“They have some very good players we have seen on footage so it’ll be about trying to restrict those top-order batters to as few runs as possible and as batters putting on a really fearless and aggressive display.

“When Ed took over he wanted us to play that style of cricket. The top three have taken to that very quickly and although it has taken time the middle order are going out now and playing with that fearless mindset, more aggressive and attacking.”