Trinbago Knight Riders' Orla Prendergast – Ex-footballer turns to cricket

ORLA Prendergast is an Irish cricketer set to make her Massy Caribbean Premier League debut when the 2023 tournament bowls off.

She may not be a household name in world cricket yet, but in her short career has shown potential to be a game changer. She has all-round ability not just in cricket as growing up she was heavily involved in football, but has decided to focus on cricket.

Prendergast, 21, has already played 40 T20 Internationals for Ireland, but has not gotten the opportunity to play franchise cricket around the world like some of her TKR team-mates including Deandra Dottin and Mignon du Preez.

A right-handed batter, Prendergast will be an asset to the team. In her international career she has scored 671 runs at an average of 22.36 which comprises three half centuries. Despite her slim stature she can find the fence regularly, with 75 sixes and eight sixes to her name at a healthy strike rate of 118.13.

Prendergast is a fearless batter as she chips down the wicket often.

With the ball Prendergast has grabbed 22 wickets with her best figures of 3/10 coming against Pakistan in November, 2022. It is one of the best matches of her career as she also slammed 39 off 24 balls.

One month ago, Prendergast also showed her talent against Australia in a One Day International, one of the best women's teams in the world. Her knock of 71 off 109 balls came in a losing effort, but it would have given her confidence that she could compete against the world's best.