Former Ireland batsman Ed Joyce has been appointed the interim head coach of the country's women's team, replacing Aaron Hamilton, who was in charge of the side for more than four years.

After retiring as a player in May 2018 following Ireland's Test debut, Joyce assumed a new role overseeing leadership development and acting as a batting coach in the Ireland performance system.

Hamilton's exit comes after Ireland women lost all of their last eight T20Is, including four in the World T20 in the Caribbean last year. Joyce takes over the role just two months before the World T20 qualifying tournament in Scotland.

"I'm excited by the talent and potential of this young squad - there were some extremely encouraging performances from several players during the West Indies series and this bodes well leading into potentially more important games later in the summer," Joyce said.

"It's a great opportunity for me to further my journey in coaching, albeit on an interim basis until the end of the T20 World Cup qualifier. I have been coaching some of the top order batters on a 1-on-1 basis, as well as joining squad sessions in the lead-up to the West Indies series that just finished. On a personal note, I enjoyed working with Aaron during the last few months and wish him and his family well with the next step."

Joyce's sisters Isobel and Cecelia were both a part of the Ireland squad at the World T20, but retired at the end of the disappointing campaign along with Clare Shillington and Ciara Metcalfe.