Former Ireland cricketer Ed Joyce has been appointed as the full-time head coach of the Ireland Women’s team for a two-year period starting now. Joyce had been the interim coach of the women’s team after the departure of Aaron Hamilton on June 2019.

He has now been given the position of the head coach with a two-year contract. The team under win closely missed out on a spot in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Australia next year.

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However, the things forward are looking positive with the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier coming up next year and some players being offered part-time contracts for the first time ever in Ireland cricketing history. Joyce has a good team and good opportunities to take account of.

The southpaw, who has played close to 100 international games for Ireland and England, is excited with the role. Joyce told ICC, “It's a great time to have been offered this opportunity, and I had no hesitation in accepting the role full-time. The part-time contracts introduced this year, the rise in profile of women's cricket and women's sport in general, and the investment in facilities and support structures around the senior team all point to a commitment from Cricket Ireland to grow the game and lift our standards to compete on the world stage.”

“While we were all obviously disappointed to have missed out on qualification for the T20 World Cup, what impressed me about the squad was the players' commitment to learning and the talent that began to emerge as the games came along," he added.

He was happy with the way the players showed character in tough situations against Thailand and Bangladesh. The bowling and fielding were pretty good from the Irish team.

“I was particularly happy with the fight the team showed in difficult positions against both Thailand and Bangladesh. Our fielding and bowling in both were outstanding and that character, being shown by a very young team is going to be very important going forward," Joyce said.

Cricket Ireland's performance director Richard Holdsworth is happy that Joyce is available and willing to take the job and take Ireland Women’s cricket forward. He said, “The calmness he brings, and the sense of togetherness within the team, was evident to all who saw the side in action in Scotland. With the home season coming to an end, and the qualifier completed, Ed will now have the opportunity to further develop the skillset and mindset of the wider squad, and start to focus on 50-over cricket ahead of the World Cup Qualifier in Sri Lanka next July.”

(Source: ICC)