Dublin: Cricket Ireland on Friday confirmed that pace bowler Louise McCarthy has been added to the Ireland women's senior performance squad after an absence of three years.
The 26-year old has 74 caps for Ireland after making her debut in 2010, however, took a break from international cricket to complete studies for a Masters of Diagnostic Radiography in Edinburgh.
Carrie Archer, Chair of Ireland women's national selectors, said: "The squad Louise left in 2017 and the one she joins now are vastly different, so we are delighted that Louise's experience can be added to this young side. She had 74 caps over seven years before her break for study, so her re-inclusion, once she became available again, was a straightforward decision for the selectors."
McCarthy said: "Returning to the Irish squad wasn't something I had completely written off, but my studies had become the priority. Then I was lucky enough to play for Durham last season in their 50-over and 20-over competitions, and that experience reinstated my fire for cricket. Playing with top quality players and against tough opponents week-on-week was something I realised I missed." IANS