Three double-headers announced among 12-match schedule for Ireland Women

Ireland women's team will face West Indies, Zimbabwe and Scotland in a busy year ahead of a T20 World Cup Qualifier campaign in late summer and fans will be able to enjoy three T20I double-headers with the men's team in July.

The release of the 2019 fixtures comes off the back of the commencement of the development of a new women's cricket strategy and the recent announcement of the first-ever women's part-time contracts to be offered in 2019 and ahead of another World Cup qualifying campaign.

"We played 19 fixtures home and away, which culminated in an appearance in the Women's T20 World Cup in the Caribbean, saw top-class fixtures at home, and a tour to Zimbabwe," Cricket Ireland quoted head coach of women's team Aaron Hamilton, as saying.

"This season we are to take women's international fixtures around Ireland and the schedule has allowed us to create three double-header events, where men's and women's T20 Internationals will share the bill. The larger goal for the squad at this point is twofold - to qualify for the next T20 World Cup in Australia in February 2020, and to ensure our world ranking is maintained so we are part of the new Women's Championship post-2021," the head coach said.

Ireland women will meet West Indies women for three T20Is in Dublin, starting May 26, following which the Irish team will lock horns with Zimbabwe women for three-match 50-over internationals and three T20Is each respectively, beginning July 3.

Zimbabwe does not have official ODI status, so the games will not be considered ODIs under ICC classification. The matches, however, will form part of three double-header events in conjunction with Ireland men and Zimbabwe men.

A three-match T20I series against Scotland Women has also been agreed between the two Cricket Boards, with dates and venues to be confirmed once the details of the Women's T20 World Cup Qualifier are announced.

The next Women's T20 World Cup Qualifier will be held in late 2019, with timing and venue to be announced.