'It's really cool' — Orla Prendergast on being first Irish woman picked in WPL

Orla Prendergast became the first Ireland Women’s player to get picked up in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) when she was bought by the Gujarat Giants during the recent player auction. The 24-year-old all-rounder is currently playing for the Brisbane Heat in the Women’s Big Bash League in Australia and was delighted when she learned of the Indian deal.

Since making her international debut for Ireland in 2019, Prendergast’s star has been on the rise around the world. Named in the Team of the Tournament at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in June, she is helping to shine a light on Irish women’s cricket and has now been involved in three franchise tournaments and has had multiple stints in English domestic cricket as well.

“It’s really cool to be the first current Irish woman to get picked up in the WPL. It looks like an incredible tournament. I’ve watched it for the last few years since it started and it looks like a real spectacle for women’s cricket played in some amazing stadiums with some really big crowds. The Gujarat Giants have an unbelievable team with some incredible other overseas so it will be a great experience to play with those players and hopefully learn a lot more," Prendergast said in a statement to Cricket Ireland.

“Playing in franchise tournaments has done a lot for my game. When I think back through some of the different teams I’ve been lucky enough to play for, I’ve had the opportunity to play with some of the best players around the world – including some leading Australian internationals, who are the best team in the world. So, to be able to rub shoulders with them and see how they go about their business is a privilege. To see how hard they work and what their recovery programme is like - and things like that that sets them apart from all the other teams in the world, you can really learn so much from the way they go about things. “It’s also nice to hear different opinions and different perspectives on your game as well as different things you do well or need to work on, so working under world-class coaches in tournaments like this another real positive of playing franchise cricket,” Prendergast added.

The fifth edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) will take place from 14 January to 7 February 2027, as Prendergast will look to leave a lasting impression in her debut season in the marquee tournament.