Ireland chase a long-awaited World Cup breakthrough

In a nutshell: The current T20 World Cup cycle has been one of remarkable consistency for Ireland. Having missed out on qualifying for the 2024 edition, they have turned a corner with a string of wins and arrive in England with renewed hope - plus a 0-17 record in T20 World Cups to overturn, although familiarity with conditions on the back of domestic cricket experience in England ought to help.

A clean sweep of the Europe Division 1 Qualifier was followed by a largely smooth run at the Global Qualifier in Nepal where they secured their berth for the marquee event. Whitewashes in Bangladesh and at home against Zimbabwe at the start of the cycle set the tone for what was to follow, while a historic 2-1 series win over Pakistan last August was an indicator of the strides taken. Ireland have used just 20 players in T20Is this cycle, reflective of a settled look to their squad, although matches against the heavyweights have been few and far between.

Squad: Gaby Lewis (c), Orla Prendergast (vc), Ava Canning, Christina Coulter Reilly, Alana Dalzell, Georgina Dempsey, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Louise Little, Aimee Maguire, Lara McBride, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Rebecca Stokell, Alice Tector

Best XI: Amy Hunter (wk), Alana Dalzell, Gaby Lewis (c), Orla Prendergast, Rebecca Stokell, Leah Paul, Louise Little, Ava Canning, Arlene Kelly, Aimee Maguire, Cara Murray

Players to keep an eye on:

Orla Prendergast: Dynamic with the bat and clever with the ball, Prendergast has taken little time to establish herself as the face of Irish women's cricket. Her ability to singlehandedly influence games was on display in Ireland's win over West Indies in the recent tri-series. As the team's second-highest run-scorer and wicket-taker this World Cup cycle, her importance to the side is undoubtedly the most significant.

Gaby Lewis: Returning from injury, Lewis will have to hit the ground running quickly. But Ireland's captain is also her country's most prolific run-scorer in the format with over 3000 runs having debuted as a 13-year old in 2014. If Ireland are to out-bat the big guns, Lewis' returns at the top are certain to have a direct impact.

What's in the news: Lewis sat out of the tri-series against West Indies and Pakistan with injury, although she is expected to be fit in time for Ireland's opener against Scotland on June 13. Former captain Laura Delany has been ruled out of the competition altogether with an injury, with Alice Tector replacing her in the squad.

Where they finished in 2024: Ireland didn't qualify for the 2024 edition of the tournament, losing to Scotland in the semifinal of the Qualifiers. Prior to that, they endured a winless run in the group stage of the 2023 edition.

How have they performed since then: Ireland's record in 25 completed T20Is this cycle is an impressive 19-6. Only four of those wins came against teams placed above them in the ICC Rankings while they haven't faced any of England, New Zealand or Sri Lanka - teams they will run into at this World Cup.

The big game: Ireland will have a point to prove against rivals Scotland, who dumped them out of the Qualifiers in 2024. That aside, the game against West Indies in Bristol could prove to be a decisive one, especially with Ireland pipping the 2016 champions by a solitary run via DLS in a recent tri-series encounter.

A record in sight: Orla Prendergast is 127 runs away from becoming just the second Irish women's player to 2000 T20I runs.

Realistic expectation: Ireland have never been better placed to record their first T20 World Cup win and potentially more. But they will need plenty to fall into place to contend for a semifinal spot at the expense of the more pedigreed teams in their group.

League stage schedule: