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JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – Ireland Women have completed the three-match ODI series against South Africa going down by six wickets in the 3^rd ODI today, despite getting themselves into an authoritative position in the first innings.

After winning the toss and electing to bat first, Ireland captain Gaby Lewis was looking in impressive form as she 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 26^th 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 and the scoring momentum fell away rapidly.

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 then swept away in a devastating four over spell, losing 5-13 and being bowled out for 205.

Needing early wickets to gain any sense of a seemingly 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.

For Ireland,. Arlene Kelly (Ireland’s most economical bowler) took 2-34 and Aimee Maguire took 2-51, but the night, and indeed the series, belonged to South Africa.

Ireland Women are next in action next month at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier.

Post-match, Gaby Lewis spoke about the start of the match and the position Ireland had created:

“It was a great start and, I guess, it’s bittersweet because obviously you know we could have put on a bigger total than that. The back-to-back wickets kind of killed us in that phase, and I take personal responsibility myself for that as well. It was a crucial time. so we’re going to have go away and reflect and we’ll look to do better in the qualifiers.”

MATCH SUMMARY

South Africa Women v Ireland Women, 3^rd ODI, Johannesburg, 19 December 2025

  Ireland 205 (45.2 overs; G Lewis 64; N Mlaba 4-33)
  South Africa 206-4 (32.2 overs; L Wolvaardt 100*; A Kelly 2-34)                                                             

South Africa won by 6 wickets

 Full scorecard