IT’S the start of a new era for Ireland’s women cricketers today, with the first game under the supervision of Lloyd Tennant.

The 58-year-old former Leicestershire seamer took over from Ed Joyce, who signalled his intention to step down after the World Cup qualifiers in April.

That campaign ended in failure, giving Tennant some breathing space to assess his charges and begin building towards the next qualification campaign, for the T20 World Cup, in August.

That preparation starts at 4pm today in Sydney Parade in Sandymount when Ireland take on Zimbabwe in the first of a three-match series. It is the first time the sides have played a T20i here.

Tennant has stuck with the core squad he inherited, adding The Hills’ off-spinning all-rounder Lara McBride for her first senior call-up.

Veteran batter Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano leads a new-looking Zimbabwe squad.

One name that jumps from the list is leg spinner Kelis Ndhlovu, whose name made the Irish newspapers in recent weeks. Ndhlovu is the only woman to take five wickets in five balls in a senior T20 match, for Zimbabwe U19s, a feat equalled by Ireland’s Curtis Campher for Munster Reds on the same ground Ndhlovu will be playing on today.

Ireland have the measure of the Africans, beating them in all seven T20 internationals they have contested, the most recent being a 5-0 series victory in Harare early last year.

The first of those games saw Amy Hunter score her first T20i century, becoming the first Irishwoman to top the ton in both formats.

Her ODI hundred also came at Harare Sports Club, a magnificent unbeaten 121 on her 16th birthday back in October 2021.

‘That century meant a huge amount to me’, said Hunter ‘It kickstarted my career nicely. I hadn’t done as well as I hoped to up in international cricket to that point. I made my debut against Scotland and was then dropped, lots of ups and downs.

‘The century just felt like pure relief at the time. To get some runs on the board and feel comfortable playing for Ireland was great.’

The Belfast woman is now established at the top of the batting order, one of the triumvirate of marquee players with Gaby Lewis and Orla Prendergast.

Now 19, she can look forward to breaking two new milestones this month, having made 995 runs in 43 T20is to date, while the 50-over series that follows in her home ground of Stormont should see her add to her 977 runs in 36 ODIs.

‘It’s been a while since our last international,’ she added. ‘I’ve been over in Surrey for a little while before I got back to the Evoke Super Series, which was an enjoyable competition. It was really good preparation and fairly intense for a couple of weeks trying to cram it all in.

‘Zimbabwe are a team we’ve played a few times, albeit mostly in their home conditions. It will be really nice to have home conditions on our side this time.

‘We can expect a lot of spin and a few unknowns as Zimbabwe are bringing a young side with some unfamiliar faces. But I’d expect them to be tough and give us a good challenge.’

Hunter had a taste of English county cricket with Surrey in May, playing just one 1st XI game – scoring 29 – as well as several for the 2nds.

‘I was a bit disappointed not to play a bit more,’ she admits, ‘but to be involved in county cricket, and be around players of that calibre was an unbelievable experience.

‘To train at Beckenham was phenomenal, and to see how some of the best players in the world go about their business.’

With the start of a new era under a new coach, players can take time to settle, but Hunter remains upbeat.

‘He’s created a really positive atmosphere, getting the message across to us not to be fearful of making any mistakes and to go out and play our best and enjoy it.

‘It’s a really exciting time to be around the squad and to see how we go.’

The series starts in Pembroke CC today at 4pm, and continues there on Tuesday and Wednesday.

All games will be streamed live on Cricket Ireland’s YouTube channel.

IRELAND (from): Gaby Lewis (captain), Ava Canning, Christina Coulter Reilly, Laura Delany, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Louise Little, Sophie MacMahon, Jane Maguire, Lara McBride, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast, Rebecca Stokell.

ZIMBABWE (from): Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano (captain), Beloved Biza, Francesca Chipare, Kudzai Chigora, Chiedza Dhururu, Nyasha Gwanzura, Tendai Makusha, Lindokuhle Mabhero, Mitchel Mavunga, Modester Mupachikwa, Vimbai Mutungwindu, Kelis Ndhlovu, Runyararo Pasipanodya, Nomvelo Sibanda, Loreen Tshuma.