Uncapped Celeste Raack named in Ireland squad for Women's WT20

Uncapped legspinner Celeste Raack is a notable pick in the 15-member Ireland squad for the ICC Women's World T20 in the Caribbean, starting November 9.

The 24-year-old Raack, who has played most of her cricket in Australia, including for Tasmania and Hobart Hurricanes, declared herself available for Ireland recently.

"Celeste impressed many of us playing for the Typhoons in the Super 3s Series this year, and has previously played for the Tasmanian Tigers women's team in the Australian women's domestic league, and the Hobart Hurricanes in the Women's Big Bash League," noted Ireland coach Aaron Hamilton.

Raack, too, is thrilled to be on-board for the showpiece event. "I am very excited and honoured to have been selected for Ireland for the World Cup," she said. "I am hoping that this will be the start of a long career as an Irish cricketer and intend on relocating for the start of the 2019 cricket season.

"I played for the Typhoons in the Super 3's competition this season. I really enjoyed the playing environment and the opportunity it provides for players to play in a competitive and challenging series. Playing with and against Irish international players in this series really improved my cricket and bowling on Irish wickets was a different challenge to those I've played on in Australia."

Laura Delany will lead the side in the 10-team event, where Ireland are placed in Group B alongside Australia, New Zealand, India and Pakistan. The squad includes regulars like Kim Garth, Joyce sisters Cecelia and Isobel, Ciara Metcalfe, Clare Shillington, Lucy O'Reilly and Gaby Lewis.

"We have picked a strong and experienced side that we believe will be best suited for the tournament opposition and the conditions in the Caribbean," said selection committee chairperson Carrie Archer. "Captain Laura Delany will lead out a side which is on an upward trajectory after finishing the summer on a high and keen to impress their credentials on the world stage.

"This is our third consecutive appearance in the World T20s and arguably this is one of the strongest squads we have selected over that time. To have a team which features Ireland's leading run-scorer [Shillington], Ireland's leading wicket-taker [Isobel Joyce] and five players with more than 100 international appearances is a fortunate position to be in."

Ireland kick start their campaign against against last edition's runners-up Australia on November 11.

Squad:Laura Delany (c), Kim Garth, Cecelia Joyce, Isobel Joyce, Shauna Kavanagh, Amy Kenealy, Gaby Lewis, Lara Maritz, Ciara Metcalfe, Lucy O'Reilly, Celeste Raack, Eimear Richardson, Clare Shillington, Rebecca Stokell, Mary Waldron