David Hemp, the Bermuda batsman, is looking forward to his new challenge as coach of the Australian women’s team VicSpirit.

Hemp’s side will be out to break New South Wales’ run of ten consecutive Women’s National Cricket League titles after losing the semi-final this year despite finishing top of the table.

The 44-year-old, who spent 17 years playing county cricket for Glamorgan and Warwickshire, has replaced Barry Neivandt in the role.

“I just think with any new coaching venture you are excited, working with a new team and new people and the exciting thing is the challenge to try and find out where you can take individuals and develop their potential,” said Hemp, who played for Bermuda in last month’s ICC Americas Region Division One Twenty20 tournament.

“I understand they just fell short [last season], so the first port of call is to sit down one-to-one and carry out some discussions and group discussions to find out where the players and coaches think we are and what we need to do to take it to the next level.”

Hemp, who beat a number of candidates to land a two-year role, said the women’s format would be slightly different to the men’s but the fundamentals would remain the same.

“Because it’s new, it’s a different type of challenge, the strategies are quite different,” Hemp added. “You haven’t got bowlers bowling at 90mph, but the game is similar and you have to tick certain boxes.

“Every ball is an event, one bad over can ultimately cost you the game.”

Tony Dodemaide, the Victoria Cricket CEO, said Hemp had all the coaching attributes they were looking for.

“He has international experience gained through his playing career in the UK and Bermuda and we look forward to the extra dimensions that he will bring to the VicSpirit programme,” he said.

“We are delighted to have David on board. Women’s cricket is a bit different to men’s cricket, the women have a thirst for knowledge and David is a good man to impart knowledge.”

With the women’s Twenty20 competition to change from state-based to city-based teams next season, the same eight that feature in the men’s Big Bash League, it is expected Hemp will also lead either the Stars or Renegades, in addition to the VicSpirit.

The left-handed batsman was the assistant coach of Prahran in Victorian Premier Cricket last season.