T20 World Cup selection a 'huge honour' for Dalzell

T20 World Cup selection a 'huge honour' for DalzellImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Dalzell began her journey with Bready Cricket ClubByElaine McGeeBBC News NIPublished1 minute agoIreland bowler Alana Dalzell is no stranger to blazing a trail.The 25-year-old from just outside Bready in County Tyrone - a cricket stronghold - joined the local club as a child playing for both the boys and eventually, men's teams.She climbed the cricket ranks making her international debut for Ireland in 2022 against South AfricaAlana then made history in 2024 when she became the first woman from the North West to become a professional cricketer.Now she has had her first call-up for the Ireland T20 World Cup squad; a prospect Dalzell said feels "surreal and a huge honour."Ireland, who sealed qualification at the global qualifiers in Nepal in February after missing out on the 2024 tournament, will face Scotland, hosts England, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and West Indies in the group stage."It feels brilliant to be selected", Dalzell told BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today programme."Especially having a World Cup so close to home. It's a huge honour to pull on the green jersey".'Dad's cricket passion had a big influence on me'Dalzell's parents were the first people she told about her call-up.It is her dad Alan with whom she credits for first sparking her interest in the sport."Dad always has had a passion for cricket."He would have had my brother and I out the back of the house playing as children."I joined Bready Cricket Club when I was 11 and I played some boys cricket and then I started playing men's cricket when I was around 13."Cricket as a career did not feel like even a possibility for Dalzell but that changed in 2019 when the first-ever part-time contracts for women were awarded by Cricket Ireland.Amongst the first recipients was the now Ireland World Cup captain, Gaby Lewis.Dalz...