Dragons (women's cricket)

Dragons are an Irish women's cricket team that compete in the Women's Super Series. They first competed in the Super Series from its inception in 2015 until 2019, after which the tournament was reduced to two teams during the COVID-19 pandemic, with Dragons missing out.[1] In 2022 the team returned to the Super Series and, after initially having no geographical base, would return with a "Northern Irish focus".[2][3] They have won three Super Series titles: in 2016, 2018 and 2019.

Dragons
Personnel
CaptainLeah Paul
CoachJames Cameron-Dow
Team information
Colours  Red
Founded2015
History
WSS wins3

History

Dragons were established in 2015 to compete in the Women's Super 3s, a tournament designed to bridge the gap between club cricket and international cricket in Ireland. The team was made up of some of the best players in Irish cricket, and were captained by Mary Waldron and coached by Rob O'Connor.[4] In their first season Dragons finished 2nd in the group of 3, with four victories.[5]

The following season, this time captained by Laura Delany, Dragons won their first Super 3s title, with four wins from six matches. They went unbeaten throughout the 50 over section of the tournament, and won one of their two T20s, a last ball thriller against Scorchers.[6][7] The next season, 2017, Dragons fared worse, finishing bottom of the league with just two victories from ten matches.[8]

2018 brought a return to form for the Dragons, as they won their second Super 3s title, led by Shauna Kavanagh.[9] Highlights for the season included Cecelia Joyce's 118 in a victory over Scorchers, and Lara Maritz's bowling performances throughout the season.[10] The following season, 2019, Dragons retained their title, their second in two seasons and third overall. They were victorious in five of their 10 matches, with a further three curtailed due to rain.[11] They were captained by Kim Garth and coached by Clare Shillington.[12]

In 2020, the tournament was forced into a restructure due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was reduced to two teams, with Dragons the team to miss out.[13] Due to the ongoing effects of the pandemic, Dragons were again unable to compete in 2021.[14]

In 2022, it was announced that Dragons would return to the Super Series for the upcoming season. The returning side was to have a Northern Ireland focus, with half of the squad playing for Northern Irish clubs, and employing a Northern Irish-based coach, James Cameron-Dow. Leah Paul captained the side.[3] The side finished as runners-up in the Super 20 Trophy and in third in the Super 50 Cup.[15][16] They finished second in both tournaments in 2023.[17][18]

Players

Current squad

Based on squad announced for the 2023 season. Players in bold have international caps.[19]

No. Name Nationality Birth date Batting style Bowling style Notes
Batters
5Abbi Harrison Ireland (2006-08-08) 8 August 2006Right-handedRight-arm off break
All-rounders
2Amy Caulfield IrelandUnknownRight-handedRight-arm medium
3Aoife Fisher Ireland (2005-03-02) 2 March 2005Right-handedRight-arm medium
4Mollie Devine IrelandUnknownRight-handedRight-arm medium
11Arlene Kelly Ireland (1994-01-08) 8 January 1994Right-handedRight-arm medium
12Bella Armstrong New Zealand (1999-11-16) 16 November 1999Right-handedRight-arm mediumOverseas player
16Leah Paul Ireland (1999-09-10) 10 September 1999Left-handedSlow left-arm orthodoxCaptain
26Alana Dalzell Ireland (2001-03-26) 26 March 2001Right-handedRight-arm medium
84Orla Prendergast Ireland (2001-06-01) 1 June 2001Right-handedRight-arm medium
89Cara Murray Ireland (2000-11-01) 1 November 2000Right-handedRight-arm leg break
Wicket-keepers
10Jaimie-Lee Strang AustraliaUnknownRight-handedRight-arm mediumOverseas player
54Amy Hunter Ireland (2005-10-11) 11 October 2005Right-handed–
Bowlers
6Jess Mayes IrelandUnknownUnknownUnknown
7Kia McCartney Ireland (2005-03-16) 16 March 2005Right-handedRight-arm off break
8Kate McEvoy IrelandUnknownRight-handedRight-arm medium
12Jemma Gillan IrelandUnknownRight-handedRight-arm medium
–Zara Craig Ireland (2003-10-13) 13 October 2003Right-handedRight-arm medium
–Jennifer Jackson Ireland (2005-12-15) 15 December 2005Left-handedLeft-arm medium

Seasons

Combined format
Season League standings Notes
P W L T A/C NRR Pts Pos
2015 84310+0.50592nd
2016 64101+1.30491st Champions
2017 102701–0.95153rd
2018 106202+0.861141st Champions
2019 105203+0.155131st Champions

Super 50 Cup
Season League standings Notes
P W L T A/C NRR Pts Pos
2022 61500–1.11023rd
2023 62103+0.410152nd

Super 20 Trophy
Season League standings Notes
P W L T A/C NRR Pts Pos
2022 63102+0.54782nd
2023 63300–0.240122nd

Honours

References
  1. "Women's Super 50 Series to kick off on Monday; squads named". Cricket Ireland. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  2. "Women's Super 3's Announced for 2015". Cricket Ireland. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  3. "'Bigger and better than ever' - Arachas Super Series returns to three-team format in 2022". Cricket Ireland. 10 March 2022. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
  4. "Women's Super 3's Announced for 2015". Cricket Ireland. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  5. "Women's Super 3s 2015 Table". CricketArchive. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  6. "Review of Toyota Super 3's Series 2016". Cricket Ireland. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  7. "Toyota Super 3s 2016 Table". CricketArchive. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  8. "Toyota Super 3s 2017 Table". CricketArchive. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  9. "Toyota Super 3s 2018 Table". CricketArchive. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  10. "Dragons clinch Toyota Super 3s series for 2018". Cricket Ireland. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  11. "Toyota Super 3s 2019 Table". CricketArchive. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  12. "Squads announced ahead of 2019 Toyota Super 3s start in May". Cricket Ireland. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  13. "Women's Super 50 Series to kick off on Monday; squads named". Cricket Ireland. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  14. "Arachas Super Series 2021". Cricket Ireland. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  15. "Arachas Super 20 Trophy 2022". NV Play. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  16. "Arachas Super 50 Cup 2022". NV Play. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  17. "Evoke Super 50 Cup 2023". CricketArchive. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  18. "Evoke Super 20 Trophy 2023". CricketArchive. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  19. "Women's Super Series fixtures and squads released". Cricket Ireland. 26 April 2023. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
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