Ireland Women fell 15 runs just short of what would have been a remarkable win today against South Africa, the world’s fifth-ranked T20I side, in a warm-up match at Loughborough University.
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.
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.
Arlene Kelly (3-29) removed Luus, and Tazmin Brits fell soon after to Aimee Maguire for 3 – 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.
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.
Needing 7.55 runs per over from the outset, the Irish side couldn’t have dreamt of a worse start – losing Alana Dalzell (0), Amy Hunter (9) and Gaby Lewis (5) to find themselves mired at 16-3 in the 4th over.
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.
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.
Ireland is back in action on Tuesday against Bangladesh at the same venue in a second warn-up match.
MATCH SUMMARY
Ireland Women v South Africa Women, T20I World Cup – Warm-up Match, Loughborough, 6 June 2026
South Africa 135-8 (18 overs; L Wolvaardt 65; A Kelly 3-29)
Ireland 120 (17.4 overs; L Paul 29; M Kapp 4-24)
South Africa won by 15 runs
