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Gaby Lewis keen for Ireland to build on win over Sri Lanka when England visit Belfast and Dublin

Gaby Lewis celebrates after her side's victory in match two against Sri Lanka
Gaby Lewis celebrates after her side's victory in match two against Sri Lanka

Stand-in captain Gaby Lewis says the Ireland women's team are hopeful of building on last month's series win over Sri Lanka when they take on a touring England side in back-to-back series in Belfast and Dublin.

Ireland will host the English at Stormont in a three-match ODI series, starting on Saturday, before two T20 matches in Clontarf next weekend.

Last month, Stormont played host as Ireland beat Sri Lanka 2-1 in their ODI series.

Lewis, fit again after a quad strain and stepping into the Irish captaincy due to the injury-enforced absence of regular captain Laura Delany, is keen for Ireland to build on that recent feat.

"We're hugely excited to be back up at Stormont. We had great success here in the Sri Lanka series and we're looking forward to getting back out there," she said.

"I think we've gone from strength to strength. We've got great youngsters coming through and what we've built in the last few years - playing that fear-free style of cricket and taking the game on - I think it's really starting to show now that we've got so many match-winners and everyone can contribute.

"We're really looking forward to taking them on."

Meanwhile, stand-in England captain Kate Cross feels there is plenty at stake as she leads an under-strength side into the two white-ball series.

England are without the majority of their squad for the forthcoming T20 World Cup and will arrive in Dublin for the two T20 internationals with an inexperienced group containing seven uncapped players across the two formats.

Cross, who herself will not be travelling to the United Arab Emirates for the World Cup next month, feels the trip is an excellent opportunity for new players to make their mark.

"There will be debuts tomorrow because we've only got six or seven players that have actually played one-day cricket for England," the 32-year-old seamer said.

"So it's probably going to be quite a nervous day for a lot of people but my main message is to enjoy it.

"For some of the players, it might be their chance to put their hand up again and showcase what they can do.

"It feels like there's a lot at stake, really, for a lot of people in their own individual way, which I think could be the making of a brilliant team."

All-rounder Freya Kemp and wicketkeeper Bess Heath are the only two members of the England squad in Ireland who are bound for the World Cup.

Additional reporting: PA

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