Gaby Lewis has been breaking records since an early age and the YMCA cricketer will add two more when she leads out the Ireland team for the first international of the summer against South Africa Women at Sydney Parade.

Not only will Gaby become the youngest Ireland captain, at the age of 21, but she becomes the first daughter of an Ireland cricket skipper to follow in his footsteps.

Alan Lewis led Ireland 35 times back in the 1990s and he will be the proudest man in Dublin when he sees his youngest daughter toss the coin at the start of her 89th international.

Gaby was 13 years and 143 days old when she made her Ireland debut – “I literally have no memory of the match except that it was in Rugby School” – in August 2014 against the Netherlands.

Gaby Lewis receives her first cap from Trent Johnston

She actually scored seven runs and had figures of 2-1-2-1 as she took the age record from Lucy O’Reilly, 98 days older and Elena Tice, a 13-year old debutant three years earlier.

“I do remember the girls welcomed me in with open arms and having Lucy and Lena around my age at the game was great,” says Gaby.

“I don’t think you really realise the magnitude of the occasion when you are 13 but it must have been a great thing at the time.

“My dad was around the club for as long as I can remember and I probably picked up a bat for the first time at the age of four. He was obviously a huge influence, although mum (Sharon) says ‘don’t forget about her’ as she played a bit. So growing up in a cricket family it was a natural thing to do.

“I still ask dad for advice. He’s always there and it’s brilliant to have him about the house.”

“When I had to choose one, it was always going to be cricket,” she adds.

“I tried to keep them both going as long as I could but I did know cricket was what I wanted to pursue.

“It’s amazing to think I’ve already played nearly 90 games but hopefully there’s plenty more to come.”