The England Women's Under-19 team beat Ireland's Senior Women's team this week in a series of one-day matches, as players prepare for the World Cup later this year. Ireland, who beat Pakistan in Dublin last week, will play England's Senior team at the World Cup. The 3-match series took place at Oundle School, Peterborough starting on Saturday and finishing last night (Monday 7 August).

England won the first two matches convincingly, ensuring the series win before the final game yesterday. Following rain, Ireland won after reaching their revised total with runs from the last ball, just saving a potential whitewash by England's youngsters.

England's Under-19 team contains three senior internationals who played against South Africa this summer, a one-day series which England also won 3-2. Both Laura Harper (16) and Leanne Davies (15) made their senior debuts, and were pleased to rejoin fellow international, Arran Thompson (18), for some pre-World Cup practice against international opposition.

With the World Cup squad to be announced in October, the teenagers are fighting to retain their places.

Arran Thompson the U-19's Captain confirmed "following the County Championships last week, it's great to be part of the England set-up again, especially with the World Cup so close. This result is great for us and the Senior squad ahead of the World Cup. If we can beat them, the full England team which has World Cup winners in it, shouldn't have a problem. We've worked a lot on our fielding recently and we got four run-outs yesterday - two of them direct hits - so it's paying off. It would be great to carry this form into the World Cup, and at least we can go to the tournament with confidence".

The future of Women's Cricket looks healthier than ever, with the U-17's also in action this week (Tues 8 - Thurs 10 August) taking on Holland's senior squad in a three-day series. Harper and Davies will stay on with the Under-17's. Holland will also be opponents for England at the World Cup.

Results:

Match One: England won toss and fielded. Ireland: 138 all out in 47.1 overs (Laura Harper 4-27 from 8 overs, Sarah Collier 2-13 from 10 overs, B Morgan 2-21 from 7 overs) England: 140 for 2 in 39.5 overs (L Harper 55 not out, N Shaw 34 not out)

England won by 8 wickets

Match Two: England won toss and fielded. Ireland: 80 all out in 42.5 overs (S Collier 3-14 from 10 overs, Dawn Holden 1-28 from 10 overs, L Davies 0-6 from 5 overs) England: 81 for 3 in 28.2 overs (A Thompson 32 not out, S Collier 21)

England won by 7 wickets

Match Three: England won toss and chose to bat. England: 146 for 8 in 50 overs (Sarah Clarke 47 not out, Arran Thompson 21) Ireland: 103 for 8 runs in 35 overs (*revised total due to rain)

Ireland won by faster run-rate

For further information, please contact Andrea Wiggins, Media Relations Officer (Women's Cricket), ECB on 020 7432 1272 or 07785 527090.

Notes to Editors: The 6th Women's Cricket World Cup, to be sponsored by CricInfo, takes place in Christchurch, New Zealand from 29 November. The Final is on 23 December.

Eight countries will contest the World Cup 2000: England, Australia (holders), New Zealand, India, South Africa, Ireland, the Netherlands and Sri Lanka. The West Indies and Pakistan were represented at the 1997 World Cup.

England have won the World Cup twice, in 1973 and 1993.

© ECB