Ireland Women will end their three-month hibernation period with eight matches against Zimbabwe next month.

Ed Joyce's side ended their season on a high note with series wins against The Netherlands and Scotland, having endured a tough time in the ICC ODI Championship to date, sitting bottom of the table.

Laura Delany once again skippers the squad, returning to the scene of a 3-1 series win there two years ago, most memorable for a record breaking ODI century for Amy Hunter on her 16th birthday.

The youthful squad has a settled look, although the continued absence of veteran Eimear Richardson would suggest her career is over.

The Irish will use the eight games - three ODIs and five T20Is as preparations for the T20 World Cup Qualifers in the UAE.

THE SQUAD

Laura Delany (capt), Ava Canning, Alana Dalzell, Georgina Dempsey, Sarah Forbes*, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Gaby Lewis, Louise Little**, Joanna Loughran, Sophie MacMahon**, Jane Maguire*, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast, Freya Sargent, Rebecca Stokell.
 

*ODI series only

 ** T20I series only

Coaching and Support staff:

Ed Joyce (Head Coach), Glenn Querl (Assistant Coach), Catherine Simpson (Physiotherapist), Jay Shelat (Analyst), Calum Burdett (Strength & Conditioning), Beth Healy (Team Operations Manager)

FIXTURES

18 January: Zimbabwe Women v Ireland Women (1st ODI)
21 January: Zimbabwe Women v Ireland Women (2nd ODI)
23 January: Zimbabwe Women v Ireland Women (3rd ODI)
26 January: Zimbabwe Women v Ireland Women (1st T20I)
28 January: Zimbabwe Women v Ireland Women (2nd T20I)
30 January: Zimbabwe Women v Ireland Women (3rd T20I)
1 February: Zimbabwe Women v Ireland Women (4th T20I)
2 February: Zimbabwe Women v Ireland Women (5th T20I) 

* Venues and start times TBA