Gaby Lewis expects to get new head coach Lloyd Tennant off to a winning start when Ireland take on Zimbabwe at Sydney Parade in the first of a three-match T20 international series.

The Girls in Green have a good record against their lower-ranked opponents and will be favorites to complete a clean sweep before moving up to Belfast for two one-day internationals next weekend.

“We can take confidence from past results,” skipper Lewis said. “But the conditions will be different this time and we can’t afford to take any side lightly.”

Tennant, who has taken over from Ed Joyce, has only been in the job six weeks but skipper Lewis and her team-mates have already been impressed with his approach and methods.

“It’s been a big change,” Lewis said. 

“Ed was more on the batting side of things while Lloyd is more focused on the bowling but he also likes to get the two groups working together more, rather than being separate.

“He wants the bowlers to understand what the batter is thinking and trying to do, and how to combat that. I’ve listened to some of the conversations he’s had with the bowlers and they’ve been brilliant.

“We won’t see the benefits immediately but I’m sure we will over a period of time and as long as we keep moving forward that’s what matters.”

One area Ireland will be desperate to improve is their fielding — and particularly catching —which was a major problem during the unsuccessful World Cup qualifying campaign in Pakistan in April.

“I believe 80 per cent of fielding is your attitude towards it, and how aggressive you are,” Lewis said.

“If you have a couple of bad days the pressure does build and we have to get rid of that fear because if you’re scared you’re not in a good head space, and not as clear and relaxed as you should be.”

T20I SQUAD: Gaby Lewis (c) (Phoenix), Ava Canning (Leinster), Christina Coulter Reilly (Clontarf), Laura Delany (Leinster), Amy Hunter (Instonians), Arlene Kelly (Malahide), Louise Little (Pembroke), Sophie MacMahon (Leinster), Jane Maguire (The Hills), Lara McBride (The Hills), Cara Murray (Waringstown/Clontarf), Leah Paul (Merrion), Orla Prendergast (Pembroke), Rebecca Stokell (Merrion).