Ireland Women tour of England ODI Series, 2026

Ireland Women travel to England for a three-match ODI series beginning at the Uptonsteel County Ground in Leicester on September 1, followed by matches at Derby on September 3 and Worcester on September 6. The series forms part of the 2025–29 ICC Women’s Championship, giving every match added significance in the qualification pathway towards the 2029 Women’s Cricket World Cup. England begin as clear favourites on home soil and currently sit second in the ICC Women’s ODI rankings, while Ireland are ranked 11th, but the short three-match contest gives the visitors an opportunity to make an early statement in the new Championship cycle.

England enter the series with considerable depth but also at the beginning of a new chapter following the international retirements of Tammy Beaumont and Heather Knight in July. The hosts still possess an experienced core built around players such as Nat Sciver-Brunt, Sophia Dunkley, Amy Jones, Sophie Ecclestone and Lauren Bell, while the series could also provide opportunities for England to continue developing the next generation of their ODI side. Their strong home record and greater experience make them the team to beat, although Ireland will know that England are not untouchable—the previous ODI series between these teams in 2024 ended 2-1 to England after Ireland produced a dramatic last-ball victory in the final match at Stormont.

Ireland arrive looking to respond after a difficult home ODI series against West Indies in July, which ended in a 3-0 defeat, but there were encouraging individual performances despite the results. Amy Hunter struck 96 in the opening ODI, while the likes of Gaby Lewis and all-rounder Orla Prendergast remain central to Ireland’s batting ambitions and their hopes of competing with England over 50 overs. Ireland’s ability to build substantial partnerships and take wickets through the middle overs could determine how competitive the series becomes; if they can extend the promising passages shown against West Indies into complete performances, the visitors have enough quality to challenge England. With valuable Championship points available and memories of their 2024 victory still relatively fresh, the opening match in Leicester should set up an intriguing three-game contest.