Ireland women wrapped up their three-match ODI series against South Africa with a defeat by six wickets in Johannesburg on Friday.
The hosts had already won the series, but Ireland could not sign off on a high.
After winning the toss and electing to bat first, captain Gaby Lewis struck 64 from 80 balls (including eight fours and a six) and featuring in a 99-run second wicket stand with Christina Coulter Reilly (37) to have Ireland sitting comfortably at 120-1 in the 26th over.
However, both batters then fell in quick succession without another run being added and, with Laura Delany also falling on 120, Ireland's 120-1 had become 120-4.
Scoring momentum fell away rapidly after that.
Leah Paul (30) and Orla Prendergast (21) gave something of a boost to the scoring rate over the next wight overs, but the Irish tail was swept away in a devastating four-over spell, losing 5-13 and being bowled out for 205.
Needing early wickets to gain any hope of an unlikely victory, South Africa’s opening pair of Tazmin Brits (26) and Laura Wolvaardt put on 56 for the first wicket. Wolvaardt and Karabo Meso then quickly compiled the same size partnership, and the hosts were 112-1 after 16 overs, cruising towards the target.
Despite losing three further wickets, the South Africans raced to victory in 32.2 overs, with Wolvaardt registering an unbeaten century off 93 balls, achieving the milestone with the shot to mid-off that won the match.
Ireland are back in action next month at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier.
