Ireland cricket: Foundations in place for women’s team to grow – head coach Lloyd Tennant

A former seam bowler with Leicestershire, Tennant was assistant coach at Manchester Originals and was women and girls’ talent manager at the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for two years.

“Across the board I’ve had different experiences,” he added.

“[I’ve been] an assistant coach, a head coach and I’ve worked in the women’s game for 10 years and have seen how that’s developed, so I’m hoping we can still continue to move the women’s game forward as it’s growing across the world at the moment.

“I’m hoping to be an influence on some of the coaches as well. Being in coaching for a long time, I’ve made my own mistakes and have got a few things right so hopefully I can pass that experience on to the coaches.”

Ireland face Zimbabwe in three T20s later this month before a three-match one-day international series between the two sides, which starts on 26 July.

Tennant handed a debut call-up to The Hill’s right-arm off-spinner Lara McBride off the back of her Super Series performances for the Scorchers.

He added he has no concerns over the 19-year-old’s club-mate Aimee Maguire, who was suspended from international cricket earlier this year for an illegal bowling action.

“Yeah, she’s doing brilliantly,” Tennant said of Maguire.

“She absolutely looks fine to me. She’s not a worry at all. At the right time, at the right pace, we’ll get her back moving into the team but she’s doing brilliantly.”

When asked if Maguire has gone back for retesting, he said: “Hopefully she’ll be going shortly, then we’ll get her some cricket and take that at the right pace.”