Ireland lost their final match at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Saturday when an undefeated century by opening bat Linda Olivier steered South Africa to a nine-wicket victory. Batting first, the Irish were in early trouble, until Anne Linehan and Miriam Grealey, in her last match as captain, put on 60 for the third wicket.

Linehan's top score of 40 was hit off 69 deliveries and included six fours, while Grealey scored her 30 runs off 63 balls, hitting three boundaries. Then South Africa's bowlers seemed to have done enough to have restricted Ireland to a modest total.

But Barbara McDonald and Sandra Dawson, in her retirement match, came together to share in an unbeaten world record 10th wicket stand of 37 runs to bring Ireland to a respectable 176 for 9 off the 50 overs. McDonald's 22 runs came off 30 balls and included four boundaries, while Dawson's innings of 13 was scored off 34 deliveries, with one four.

Ireland 176 for 9 wickets, 50 overs (A Linehan 40, M Grealey 30, B McDonald 22 no, C Shillington 18, S Dawson 13 no; S Viljoen 3 for 27, H Strydom 3 for 33, C Eksteen 2 for 28). South Africa 177 for 1, 36.2 overs (L Olivier 101 no, H Strydom 46; M Grealey 1 for 33). South Africa won by 9 wickets.