The round-robin pits them against Netherlands — who Ireland beat 2-1 in Malahide last month — France, Germany and Turkey, who they have never faced. The vital fixture takes place on Friday when they meet Scotland.

The Wildcats are an improving side, and have beaten Ireland twice in seven meetings, both by 11 runs. Their captain, Kathryn Bryce, is ICC’s associate player of the decade, and she and sister Sarah and bowler Abtaha Maqsood have all been playing in the Hundred tournament in England.

“We don’t know much about France, Germany and Turkey,” says Joyce, “but we won’t take them lightly. Our massive focus is on the other two, and expect them to be tough. We know Netherlands have some big hitters too.”

The Germans, who only played their first game in 2019 — Scotland bowled them out for 37 — have been making strides. They now have three women who have played county cricket in England, and hammered France in each of the five games they played this summer.

Joyce took over Ireland shortly after five senior players retired, and he has enjoyed bringing through their replacements. “There was a lot of talent there,” he says, “it was a question of honing that and helping them become more consistent.

“We worked hard on getting rid of a lot of the extras we bowl, and fielding and catching is massive in women’s cricket. We’ve also been working on game plans for each batter in every situation.”

A batting revolution has been happening in women’s cricket in Leinster, where all the Irish squad play. In a typical past season you might have seen one or two centuries scored, but already in 2021 there have been 10, all by women in or close to the squad.

Georgina Dempsey’s 139 from 68 balls for Phoenix against Leinster is a domestic T20 record — only one man has made more in a senior game — but Joyce refuses to take credit for the huge improvements.

“There were a lot of really good all-round players so we just had to help them become more consistent. Gaby Lewis is a huge talent, Orla Prendergast got a brilliant hundred in the SuperTwos, Lara Maritz spent the winter in Australia and came back hugely improved. We’ve had to leave out some really excellent players which is good in some ways too.”

Joyce oversees a side with some exciting young players, especially the Pembroke all-rounder Prendergast and YMCA bat Lewis, who played in the Hundred final at Lord’s yesterday.

“It’s much harder for an Irish cricketer to get a gig in England these days, so it’s fantastic that she’s so highly rated. Hopefully it will lead to more opportunities for our women which would be a massive boost for us.”

One Irish woman already on the world stage is Kim Garth, who last played for Ireland almost two years ago. She has made her life in Australia where she has been a star of the Big Bash competition.

“I’ve texted her a few times to congratulate her on whatever amazing thing she’s just achieved but I think she’s staying there and with Covid there isn’t much choice anyway. We’re planning to not have her anyway.”

But Joyce is content with the talent he has, and recognises the format does not allow for any slip-ups. “With only one side going through from here, it will be a challenging week — but what’s definitely pleasing for me is that I was confident no matter which 14 players were selected, we will be taking a talented, eager and hungry group to Spain that are capable of competing on all fronts.”

FIXTURES AND SQUAD

Thursday: v Germany 9.30am, v Turkey 2.30pm
Friday: v Scotland 2.30pm
Saturday: v France 9.30am, v Netherlands 2.30pm
*All livestreamed on ICC-cricket.com
Squad: Laura Delany (captain, Leinster), Ava Canning (Leinster), Georgina Dempsey (Phoenix), Shauna Kavanagh (Pembroke), Gaby Lewis (YMCA), Louise Little (Pembroke), Sophie MacMahon (Leinster), Lara Maritz (Phoenix), Cara Murray (Waringstown & Clontarf), Leah Paul (Merrion), Orla Prendergast (Pembroke), Eimear Richardson (Leinster), Rebecca Stokell (Merrion), Mary Waldron (Pembroke).