One of the most interesting developments in the Womens game this season has been the number who have participated in Open Competitions. So far this season 23 girls/women have taken part in 70 matches. Although the number of matches may look small when you consider how many weekends are taken up with the Irish team competing in the County Championship in the UK, it suggests that in many cases girls/women are holding down places on teams when available.
Isobel Joyce [the Irish Women Captain] has not been playing in the UK and this has enabled her to turn out regularly for the Merrion IIs in D2. She has also had a run in D1. With 244 runs, three fifties, a top score of 82, an average of 34.86 and seven wickets [up to end July], it is clear that she is making an impact.
Another player who is now playing regularly is Meg Kendall of Pembroke. She has played four times for Pembroke, twice for the 2nd XI in D2 and has a top score of 47. She has been joined on Pembroke IIs by Kim Garth and Shauna Kavanagh.
A number of years back the Irish Women competed as a separate team in the middle reaches of the Leinster leagues. It was often difficult to get out sides and the matches lacked purpose from a development perspective. Today good quality competition is provided across the water in the English County Championship and individual players are being tested at the higher levels in the OC leagues and cups in Leinster. It is early days yet but seems like a good formula for improving the standard of womens cricket.