In a significant boost to Irish women’s cricket, 18-year-old left-arm spinner Aimee Maguire has been cleared by the International Cricket Council (ICC) to resume bowling in international cricket. This development follows months of hard work and rehabilitation for the talented young bowler, whose promising career had faced an early roadblock earlier in the year.
Maguire, hailed as one of the brightest prospects in Irish cricket, was reported for suspected bowling during the first ODI of the ICC Women’s Championship series against India, played in Rajkot on 10 January 2025. The report led to her immediate suspension from bowling in international matches, under the ICC’s Illegal Bowling Regulations, a difficult moment for a player at such a formative stage in her career.
Since then, Maguire has demonstrated remarkable tenacity, working tirelessly to remodel her action under the watchful eyes of Ireland’s coaching staff and bowling consultants. Her commitment paid off when, following an independent re-assessment at an ICC-accredited testing centre, it was confirmed that the elbow extension in her new action did not exceed the permitted 15-degree threshold set out by the ICC.
The ICC’s press release confirmed, “Aimee Maguire has undergone re-assessment and has been found to have a legal bowling action. As a result, she is eligible to resume bowling in international cricket with immediate effect.”
The decision is a welcome relief not just for Maguire but for Irish cricket fans as well, who have been watching her rapid rise since her debut on 1st July 2023 in an ODI against the West Indies at Gros Islet. With 16 ODI scalps at an average of 28.50 and an economy of 5.93, including a five-wicket haul in 11 innings, and 9 T20I scalps at an average of 20 and an economy of 7.20 in 9 innings, Maguire had quickly made a name for herself with her deceptive flight and control.
Maguire has not been named in the Ireland squad for the upcoming T20I series against Pakistan, which will be played in Dublin from 6th to 10th August 2025. With skipper Gaby Lewis leading the side against a Pakistan team captained by Fatima Sana, Maguire is expected to use the coming weeks to continue training and reintegrate into competitive cricket.
As the women’s game continues to grow in Ireland, the return of a bowler of Maguire’s calibre and her resilience in the face of adversity are positive signs for the national set-up. Irish fans and the cricketing world will watch closely as she embarks on the next phase of her burgeoning career.
