The three-match Women’s ODI series between England and Ireland is all set to commence on September 1. For the visitors, 24-year-old all-rounder Orla Prendergast will be a key player to watch out for. After the Women’s T20 World Cup, a sudden call-up to The Hundred, nine outings so far in the ongoing One-Day Cup, and now this upcoming series, she is set to be back in action on English soil.
Ahead of the series, in an exclusive interaction with RevSportz, Prendergast opened up about the preparations, the sheer disappointment of the recent home ODI series loss against the West Indies, her cricketing journey, her connections with football, Ellyse Perry as her idol, her Hundred stint, and her wish to play in the WPL going forward.
Ireland Women are heading into this series after a surprising home ODI series loss against the West Indies (0-3). Talking about the preparations, Prendergast said that intense training sessions and a few intra-pro games have helped them get ready for the upcoming series.
“It’s going really well. Everyone’s definitely very excited after what’s been a busy summer over the last couple of months. Everyone’s geared up and ready to go. We’ve had a really good training block back home and a good few intra-pro games to prepare.”
However, she was clearly disappointed with their recent performances against the West Indies. Still, she insisted that the mood within the camp remains positive and highlighted Amy Hunter’s form as one of the positives from the series, scoring 193 runs in three innings, including two fifties.
“The mood is good. The ODI series against the West Indies was definitely disappointing. Three tough games which we competed at times in but not for long enough. So, ultimately a very disappointing series there in what we thought we could take away some wins from them.”
“But at the same time, I think you have to reflect on these things and take the positives where you can, of which there definitely were some positives. Amy Hunter with the bat, to name one, was in unbelievable form. So hoping she’ll turn up in that kind of form next week to play England.”
Even before that series, Ireland struggled in the Women’s T20 World Cup, finishing at the bottom of Group 2. However, they ended the campaign on a high, recording their first-ever win in a Women’s T20 World Cup by defeating the West Indies in Bristol. Notably, Prendergast was the Player of the Match in that game, courtesy of her all-round brilliance (63 off 44, 1/29).
“And, I suppose looking back at the T20 World Cup, kind of mixed emotions on it. We peaked and troughed throughout. We started poorly. We gathered a bit of momentum, played well in some games. But I think to finish with that win was just so pleasing.”
“That first World Cup win that we were kind of hunting for throughout, ideally we would have gotten it a bit sooner than the last game. And probably kept ourselves in with a shout of maybe getting through to semifinals if we’d played a bit better in those early games. But, ultimately, I think to get that win was very pleasing.”
When it comes to Ireland’s Women’s ODI record against England, it is also quite one-sided, with England winning 18 of the 20 games so far. However, Ireland’s second-ever win came in Belfast in 2024, with Prendergast also being part of that historic victory.
When asked whether that win could act as inspiration or motivation for the side going into this series, Prendergast observed, “Absolutely. I think you just take a lot of belief from those games and those wins. I think the way we played in that series, definitely a lot of confidence can be taken from it.”
“We’ve got a pretty different side now to that series and they’ve named a pretty different side to play us this time around. So it’s a completely different kind of setup. But, definitely, we’ll be looking back at that series with fond memories and taking a bit of positives from it.”
Prendergast enjoyed her maiden appearance in The Hundred, playing for Welsh Fire. In four games, she would have loved to score a bit more with the bat, but with the ball, she managed six wickets at crucial junctures.
“It was an unbelievable experience, really. Definitely unexpected. Came around very quickly. I think I got a call one day, was on a flight the next day and then played my first game the following day. So it was a quick turnaround. Sometimes maybe it might be better that way than it was before that first game. But, it was a great experience. Much enjoyed.”
She came in as a replacement for the great Sophie Devine and then made an instant impact with a match-winning 4/18 spell against Manchester Super Giants, including a dream delivery that bamboozled Super Giants’ skipper Meg Lanning.
“God, a lot of excitement. I think, obviously, Meg Lanning is one of the best players in the world. And you’re bowling to her. There’s obviously a few nerves there. It was a pretty strong breeze across the ground. And I traditionally would kind of swing the ball in a little bit more.”
“But the way it was going, it was so strong across. And I’ve done a lot of work on my seam position to try and stand it up that bit more. So I think to see the ball go away like it did and then nip back in was definitely pleasing. It’s something I’ve done a lot of work on.”
Talking about her cricketing journey, her connection with football also came up. She used to play football a lot more but eventually decided to take up cricket as her profession, something she does not regret at all.
“The story began, I suppose, with my family in the back garden. I think as a lot of cricketers do. I had two older brothers and my dad. We used to play a lot of cricket in the back garden. And then we just joined a local club growing up and it went from there really.”
“I did play a lot more football growing up. I think I was definitely a lot better at football. So, maybe a bit of a surprise to some that I decided to stick with cricket and make that my journey.”
“But I definitely have no regrets. I mean, the journey that I’ve been on over the past kind of six, seven years has been unbelievable and so enjoyable. So, I think I made the right decision there.”
Since her international debut in 2019, she has emerged as a quality all-rounder for her country and currently sits fourth in the ICC Women’s T20I all-rounder rankings.
Talking about her inspiration, she named Australia great Ellyse Perry, who also has a history of representing the Aussies at the FIFA World Cup, including scoring a goal against Sweden.
“I think Elyse Perry is someone that I looked up to a lot growing up. I think she also played a lot of football. So she’s definitely one that I’ve watched all throughout my youth. And obviously an unbelievable cricketer whose skills speak for herself.”
Lastly, Prendergast also shared her wish to play in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) going forward.
“I’d love to be a part of it. I mean, it looks like such a fun and competitive tournament to be a part of. So I think I’d absolutely love to be a part of it. I think there’s obviously a lot of competition and overseas players to get you over there. But I think if the opportunity were to arise, it’s something I’d love to do.”
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