Irish ace Kelly has Pakistan in her sights

HAVING overcome a weak Zimbabwe side last month, Ireland’s women cricketers face a far greater test of their progress at Clontarf this week. Up against Gaby Lewis’ side are Pakistan, led by Fatima Sana, in a trilogy of T20 games starting tomorrow and continuing on Friday and Sunday.

It is an important series in its own right, but also a perfect way to tune up for the T20 World Cup qualifying preliminary round later this month, when Ireland face Italy, Germany and hosts the Netherlands from August 20th-27th. The top two sides progress to the Global Qualifier in Nepal in January.

Amstelveen is a venue that has no fears for Arlene Kelly, who set an Irish T20 record of 5-12 in an international there this time two years ago, taking 10-43 in the three-match series.

Kelly was called up in an injury crisis  just over three years ago, but claimed and cemented her place in the side, being virtually ever-present since as Ed Joyce’s team notched up a series of notable wins over Sri Lanka, England, South Africa and Pakistan.

Kelly hails from Auckland, New Zealand, but with a Cavan mother, and paternal grandparents from Cork and Kildare, she was aware of her roots and a frequent visitor here.

She knew Eimear Richardson, an Irish international who wintered in New Zealand and tipped off the powers that be.

Joyce rang her up and she grabbed at the chance to play.

‘When I realised there would be a possibility to play the sport I love in the country I love there was no hesitation’, she said back in May 2022 when she was first selected to play South Africa.

‘It’s been a whirlwind couple of days since. When I moved across, I knew I was eligible for selection, but I didn’t place any pressure or expectations on myself around selections.’

She now has 81 caps: ‘They’ve come around thick and fast but I feel very lucky to have one cap, let alone 81 for Ireland. It’s been an enjoyable career to date, filled with plenty of learnings, challenges and laughs along the way.’

She’s seen the women’s game expand here, and more players pushing through for the senior side now coached by Lloyd Tennant.

‘I think the game is definitely growing and we are beginning to see healthy competition for selection. Being part of the Championship Cycle and receiving
additional funding from the ICC means we have more fixtures and more players on part-time contracts. It’s becoming a more viable career path for young girls, so hopefully we continue to see the game grow in Ireland.

‘Cricket Leinster are doing a lot of hard work behind the scenes to grow the women’s game but, as is the case with many countries, club cricket is still very reliant on international players, and when these players aren’t available it can offer its own challenges.’

With the Pakistan series  starting tomorrow, the Asian tigers are often cited as the benchmark for Ireland.

’Pakistan are a good side,’ said Kelly. ‘But, as a group, we have our sights set on achieving a higher ranking than where they are currently ranked. We know we have to put in good performances to make that happen, but in 2022, when we beat them 2-1 in a T20 series, we proved we were not only capable of competing, but capable of beating them.’