Ireland Women fell 15 runs just short of what would have been a remarkable win today against South Africa, the world\u2019s fifth-ranked T20I side, in a warm-up match at Loughborough University.<\/p>\n
After winning the toss, Ireland elected to bowl in damp conditions, after heavy showers earlier in the day reduced the match to an 18 over-a-side encounter. Sune Luus (17) and South African captain Laura Wolvaardt (65) began sprightly, putting on 32 for the first wicket in 26 balls.<\/p>\n
Luus played the run-a-ball style support role as Wolvaardt routinely lofted the ball over the in-field during the powerplay, registering 7 fours and 3 sixes in her 37-ball innings.<\/p>\n
Arlene Kelly (3-29) removed Luus, and Tazmin Brits fell soon after to Aimee Maguire for 3 \u2013 before Annerie Dercksen (26) joined Wolvaardt to put on 54 runs in 42 balls to have South Africa sitting on a healthy 113-2 in the 14th over.<\/p>\n
South Africa sought to pile on quick runs in the latter overs, but disciplined bowling at the death by Kelly, Cara Murray (2-13) and Ava Canning (2-8) restricted the Proteas Women to 135-8 from their 18 overs.<\/p>\n
Needing 7.55 runs per over from the outset, the Irish side couldn\u2019t have dreamt of a worse start\u00a0 \u2013 losing Alana Dalzell (0), Amy Hunter (9) and Gaby Lewis (5) to find themselves mired at 16-3 in the 4th over.<\/p>\n
The Irish middle order then led a fight back, with Rebecca Stokell (19), Leah Paul (29), Alice Tector (17), Louise Little (13) and Arlene Kelly (15) all contributing to a concerted attempt to recover, and then push for a most unlikely victory.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately the wily Marizanne Kapp, using her vast experience, made regular in-roads into the Irish batting line-up to restrain the run flow, taking 4-24. Two late wicket interventions by Tumi Sekhukhune (2-18) eventually held off the Irish challenge and the match was decided in the Proteas favour by 15 runs.<\/p>\n
Ireland is back in action on Tuesday against Bangladesh at the same venue in a second warn-up match.<\/p>\n
MATCH SUMMARY<\/p>\n
Ireland Women v South Africa Women, T20I World Cup \u2013 Warm-up Match, Loughborough, 6 June 2026<\/p>\n
South Africa\u00a0 135-8 (18 overs; L Wolvaardt 65; A Kelly 3-29)<\/p>\n
Ireland \u00a0120 (17.4 overs; L Paul 29; M Kapp 4-24)<\/p>\n
South Africa won by 15 runs<\/p>\n