logo
Back to basics for Ireland ahead of Zimbabwe

Back to basics for Ireland ahead of Zimbabwe

RTÉ News​2 days ago
Laura Delany, the former Irish women's cricket captain, says that the team have been working hard to improve their fielding ahead of the games against Zimbabwe and Pakistan, which start with a T20 international against the former at Pembroke in Dublin on Sunday.
Delany remains an integral part of the squad despite losing the captaincy to Gaby Lewis, and is now fully recovered from injury, which curtailed her involvement in last year's home games against England and South Africa.
Two 14-player squads including Delany will play three T20 Internationals at Pembroke Cricket Club, then two one-day internationals at Stormont.
Lewis will captain both squads, while Orla Prendergast will be vice-captain.
Ireland will also have a new head coach in charge with Englishman Lloyd Tennant taking over from Ed Joyce, who stepped down from the role after over six years in charge.
Ireland have a great record against the world number 14 ranked Zimbabwe, winning all seven T20s between the countries, while they have met in eight ODIs, with Ireland winning six, losing one and drawing one.
Concern though has been expressed about the quality of Ireland's fielding, with dropped catches and poor handling leading to Lewis' side losing games they really should have won, as witnessed in the World Cup qualifiers in Pakistan earlier this year.
Delany says that the fielding is one of the three disciplines in the game that they have been working hard on.
"I think when you look at the makeup of our squad, quite often in Irish cricket, if you do well at under-15 or under-17, you're fast-tracked, and then you're on the performance squad, and sometimes you can miss out on the basics," said Delany
"For us it's making sure that we focus on those basics."
She added: "It's actually making sure that our footwork is good and that we're getting into the right position at high hands rather than just trying to catch it down around chest area.
"It's something that we've noticed when we go and play against the best sides in the world.
"They're on top of their fielding, and there have been chances that have gone down over the last number of months, particularly in pressurised games.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Roy Keane's favourite GAA star to feature as RTE and BBC unveil pundits for Cork vs Tipperary in All-Ireland final
Roy Keane's favourite GAA star to feature as RTE and BBC unveil pundits for Cork vs Tipperary in All-Ireland final

The Irish Sun

timean hour ago

  • The Irish Sun

Roy Keane's favourite GAA star to feature as RTE and BBC unveil pundits for Cork vs Tipperary in All-Ireland final

RTE AND BBC have unveiled their punditry teams for the All-Ireland hurling final between Cork and Tipperary. The Rebels face the Premier in a mouth-watering battle which is the first time the two counties meet in the Liam MacCarthy decider. Advertisement 5 Cork and Tipperary meet in the All-Ireland hurling final Credit: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile 5 Joanne Cantwell will be leading RTE's TV coverage Credit: Ben McShane/Sportsfile 5 Marty Morrissey will be providing commentary Credit: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile 5 Sarah Mulkerrins will be leading the BBC's coverage and will be joined by the likes of Shane O'Donnell Credit: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile 5 Jimmy Barry-Murphy will also be part of the BBC's coverage Credit: David Maher/Sportsfile A heavyweight battle calls for a blockbuster set of pundits, and both For RTE, Joanne Cantwell will be anchoring their coverage, with Clare legend Anthony Daly, Cork great Donal Og Cusack, and Tipperary icon Liam Sheedy as the pundits. Damian Lawlor will serve as the pitchside reporter at Coverage gets underway on RTE2 at 2:15pm, with throw-in at 3:30pm, while Irish language options will be available on the RTE News channel for 2:30pm. Advertisement Read More on GAA Coverage begins at 3pm on Sunday on BBC Two Sarah Mulkerrins presenting will be presenting and will be joined by reigning Hurler of the Year Shane O'Donnell, four time All-Ireland winner Paul Murphy, and Antrim great Neil McManus. Mark Sidebottom will be surveying the action from pitchside alongside All Star Diarmuid O'Sullivan and former Tipperary All-Ireland winner Seamus Callanan. Advertisement Most read in GAA Hurling Exclusive Commentary will be led by Thomas Niblock alongside expert analysis from co-commentators Jamesie O'Connor and At half-time, special expertise will be offered by none other than Jimmy Barry-Murphy. 'Easiest interview I've ever had' jokes RTE GAA host after pundits go back and forth before Meath vs Donegal An all-time great of hurling on Leeside, the five-time hurling All Star won an astounding five Liam MacCarthy Cups and ten Munster titles as a player with the Rebels. He also guided them to two Munster championships and the 1999 All-Ireland title as manager. Advertisement JBM was also an accomplished footballer, winning two All-Stars, two Munster SFC titles, and the 1973 Sam Maguire as a manager. He also holds the distinction of being He revealed as such on a Monday Night Football appearance in 2022 - in spite of his Sky Sports colleagues not then seeming sure what to ask about this mystery figure. Advertisement Keano hailed: "Growing up again in Ireland - the GAA was a big part of my life. Hurling - watching Jimmy Barry-Murphy playing for Cork - you know, brilliant sportsman." He modestly remarked: "It was very, very special. I was delighted actually. "I was shocked for somebody like Roy, who I have great admiration for and he's probably our greatest ever sportsman to come out of Cork. Advertisement "Himself and Denis Irwin were extraordinary. Denis is a Barr man, of course, so I have to give him a mention. But Roy, it was a lovely thing to say and I really appreciate it, I must say." It remains to be seen if the former Manchester United and Ireland captain and devout Corkman will pop up alongside his hero at Croke Park.

Tyrrell Hatton hunting Ryder Cup place and major glory at Royal Portrush
Tyrrell Hatton hunting Ryder Cup place and major glory at Royal Portrush

Irish Daily Mirror

time3 hours ago

  • Irish Daily Mirror

Tyrrell Hatton hunting Ryder Cup place and major glory at Royal Portrush

Tyrrell Hatton will have the Ryder Cup in the back of his mind when he heads out for the final round of The Open as he realises there is little chance of him catching runaway leader Scottie Scheffler. The Englishman is six shots adrift of the world number one, who sits at 14 under, but he knows there is a bigger picture. 'It's nice to be high up on the leaderboard in a major,' said the 33-year-old, who finished joint fourth at last month's US Open having been in contention until the last couple of holes. 'Certainly tomorrow is the last round for me to earn Ryder Cup points, there's a lot to play for tomorrow. 'I'm hoping that I can go out there and play a really good round of golf. I'd love to make the Ryder Cup team automatically and not rely on needing a pick. 'One thing I'm proud of the last three Ryder Cups I've played is that I've made the team automatically. 'Sure, since I joined LIV, I knew that was going to make things a lot harder for me to make it a fourth time. 'I guess for self pride I'd love to keep that streak going of being an automatic pick. 'That will make it even more pleasing, rewarding because I know that I've had a lot less tournaments than the other guys to do it.' Hatton currently sits fourth in the European Ryder Cup standings. Only the top six qualify automatically. A good finish at Royal Portrush will consolidate his position and that is the best he can hope for as he knows this is not the same as when he contended in the previous major. 'It is a very different challenge and at the moment a completely different situation,' he added after a round of 68, the highlight being a hole-out eagle at the par-five seventh. 'I'd have to have an unbelievable front nine tomorrow to be in the same position going into the back nine as what I experienced at Oakmont.'

Andy Farrell happy with Lions win but it wary of Australian response
Andy Farrell happy with Lions win but it wary of Australian response

Irish Daily Mirror

time3 hours ago

  • Irish Daily Mirror

Andy Farrell happy with Lions win but it wary of Australian response

Andy Farrell, coach of the British and Irish Lions, is preparing his team for a strong response from Australia after their 27-19 victory put them on the cusp of a series win. The Lions are heading to Melbourne for the second Test, confident in their ability to beat the Wallabies after controlling the first 50 minutes of the opening match at Suncorp Stadium. Tries were scored by Sione Tuipulotu, Tom Curry and Dan Sheehan. However, Australia showed increased competitiveness in the final half-hour, giving them hope of drawing level in the series. To prevent any complacency among his players, Farrell reminded them of the events of 2013. Twelve years ago Warren Gatland's team took a 1-0 lead in the series by winning in Brisbane only to lose the second Test in Melbourne. They then clinched the Sydney decider. 'We do take encouragement from the display, but at the same time we know what is coming,' head coach Farrell said. 'We know what happened in the second half here and we roll into the second game knowing full well what happened in 2013. 'When an Australia team becomes desperate, it is difficult to handle, so we expect a different game next weekend. 'Not only was this Australia's second game and they'll be much better because of that, but also because of what it means to them and how proud they are. It'll mean the world to them. 'We need to make sure we are ready for them to be at their best. It will take a better performance than what we've shown here to make sure we get a win next week.' At the heart of the Lions' forward dominance stood flankers Curry and Tadhg Beirne, who were forces of nature at the breakdown and in contact. Neither player had excelled during the previous tour fixtures and were picked for the first Test because of their big-game temperaments, resulting in criticism of their selection. Curry's presence kept out Jac Morgan, the only Welshman in the squad. 'I read all that, it was interesting wasn't it? They were immense, absolutely immense,' Farrell said. 'Tom Curry put in some really nice shots defensively and Tadhg Beirne got the turnover very early doors and set the tone. It didn't stop there, it carried on the same for the whole game.' Farrell revealed that second row Joe McCarthy and fly-half Finn Russell left the field in the second-half because of plantar fasciitis and cramp respectively. Australia boss Joe Schmidt confirmed that hard running forwards Will Skelton and Rob Valetini will be available for the second Test after siting out the Brisbane opener with calf injuries. Schmidt added: 'We fought our way back into the game. If we could get within one score, you never know what could have happened. 'I'm not saying the Lions didn't deserve to win it because they did on the balance on what they did in the first half. 'I'm very proud of the way the players fought their way back. This time last year we would probably have melted, so I love the way this team is developing.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store