Former Ireland international Ed Joyce has returned to Cricket Ireland as the organisation’s new High Performance Batting Coach, taking responsibility for the men’s senior team and the male talent pathway.

Joyce will begin the role immediately and work closely with Ireland men’s head coach Gary Wilson and High Performance director Graeme West. The appointment marks his return to the men’s programme after spending six years working with Ireland Women.

The former batter brings considerable experience as both an international player and coach. Joyce represented Ireland as well as England during his playing career, including 19 international appearances for England.

Joyce Returns to Men’s Cricket

Joyce’s new role comes after an extended spell working with the Ireland women’s team. He became Ireland Women’s head coach in 2019, one year after ending his international playing career.

During his time in charge, Joyce was involved in the development of the women’s programme and helped oversee a period of improved performances. He eventually stepped down as head coach in February 2025.

His move to the men’s setup now gives Cricket Ireland an experienced coach to work specifically on batting technique, preparation and player development.

Joyce will be involved not only with the senior men’s squad but also with the wider male pathway, allowing him to contribute to the development of Ireland’s next generation of batters.

Cricket Ireland Welcomes Joyce Back

Cricket Ireland’s High Performance director Graeme West welcomed Joyce’s return, highlighting his contribution to Irish cricket as both a player and coach.

West pointed to Joyce’s technical quality as a batter during his playing career and said his coaching abilities were also evident during his time leading Ireland Women.

With Ireland entering an important off-season period, West believes Joyce’s arrival is well timed. He will begin working with the players immediately as the team prepares for its upcoming assignments.

The appointment also allows Cricket Ireland to make use of Joyce’s knowledge of the Irish system and his understanding of the technical demands facing international batters.

From International Batter to Coach

Joyce enjoyed an unusual international career, representing both Ireland and England.

He established himself as a technically accomplished batter during his playing days and later moved into coaching after retiring from international cricket in 2018.

His transition into coaching allowed him to remain closely connected to the development of Irish cricket. His six-year spell with the women’s team gave him extensive experience working with players at different stages of their careers.

That experience will now be transferred to the men’s programme, where Ireland are continuing efforts to strengthen their international competitiveness.

Also Read-India and Pakistan Reach Asian Games Semifinals After Rain Abandons

Technique and Mindset Remain Important

Joyce said remaining involved with Irish cricket had been important to him since his retirement as a player.

His time working with Ireland Women also reinforced his interest in helping players improve both their technical skills and their mindset.

According to Joyce, the modern game has changed considerably, particularly with the increasing emphasis on power hitting. However, he believes the basic requirements of batting remain largely unchanged.

For Joyce, sound technique and a positive mindset continue to be essential for batters operating at international level.

His approach will therefore involve balancing the demands of modern white-ball cricket with the technical fundamentals required to build consistency.

Focus on Consistency

Joyce believes Ireland already have significant talent within their men’s programme. His focus will now be on helping the batting group turn that potential into more consistent performances.

He has acknowledged the work already carried out behind the scenes to prepare Ireland’s players for international cricket. His role will be to build on that foundation while bringing his own experience and technical knowledge into the programme.

The emphasis on consistency could be particularly important for a developing international side. Ireland have produced talented players over the years, and improving the reliability of their batting unit will be an important part of their continued progress.

A New Chapter for Joyce

Joyce’s return represents another stage in his coaching career after his successful association with Ireland Women.

He now moves into a role where his experience will extend across both the senior men’s side and the male development pathway. Working alongside Gary Wilson and Graeme West, Joyce will be involved in helping players prepare for the demands of international cricket while also supporting emerging talent.

His immediate involvement during the off-season will give him an opportunity to work closely with the batting group and identify areas for improvement.

For Cricket Ireland, the appointment brings back a former international batter with knowledge of the organisation, experience in coaching and a strong understanding of technical development.

For him, it marks a return to the men’s programme and another opportunity to contribute to Irish cricket, this time with a specific focus on developing batting quality and consistency across the pathway.