Ireland’s Amy Hunter Eyes Upset Against England After Sri Lanka Triumph

Amy Hunter, Ireland’s young opener and wicketkeeper, believes her team can carry the momentum from their recent series win over Sri Lanka into their upcoming one-day international (ODI) series against England. The three-match series begins on Saturday in Belfast, with games scheduled at Stormont on Monday and Wednesday, followed by two Twenty20 matches at Clontarf on 14 and 15 September.

Fresh from a 2-1 series victory over Sri Lanka, Hunter, 18, says Ireland's confidence is soaring after their triumph against the reigning Women's Asia Cup champions. “It was huge getting the win in that series,” Hunter told BBC Sport. “Within the team, we knew we were capable of it, but to get over the line was very impressive for us.”

The historic series win, which saw Ireland outclass one of the strongest teams in Asia, has given the team a significant boost as they prepare for the challenge ahead. “We’ll take a huge amount of confidence from the Sri Lanka series into these matches against England,” Hunter added.

However, the Ireland wicketkeeper is well aware that England represents a formidable challenge, even though they are without several of their World Cup stars. “England are a very impressive side, albeit without some of their World Cup players, but the likes of Tammy Beaumont and Kate Cross are two big names that stick out to me,” Hunter said.

England will be fielding a less experienced squad for the series, but they remain a step up in class for Ireland. Despite this, Hunter is optimistic about Ireland’s chances of pulling off an upset. “It’s going to be tough, but we’ve shown that we can compete with strong teams, and we’ll be looking to build on that.”

For Ireland, this series represents not only a chance to test themselves against one of the world’s best sides but also to continue their growth as a team. With young talents like Hunter leading the charge, Ireland will be hoping to cause a few surprises against their more experienced opponents.

The upcoming matches will also serve as vital preparation for the Twenty20 games at Clontarf, as Ireland continues to develop its squad across both formats. For Hunter, the focus remains on building consistency and belief within the team. “We’ve got the talent and the ability – now it’s about delivering when it matters.”

With Ireland riding high on confidence and aiming to prove their worth on the international stage, this series against England could be another defining moment for Hunter and her teammates as they look to make their mark in women's cricket.