Ireland v South Africa, 2016-17

In January 2015, the ICC announced that Ireland, along with Afghanistan, would join the ten Full Members in the qualification system for the 2019 World Cup. If they were ranked in the top eight by September 2017, they would be invited to the tournament without having to play any qualifiers. To take advantage of their status, Ireland must beat those above them in the standings. But they have played top-eight nations rarely, and most at home: only West Indies have hosted them outside World Cups. Here was a chance: one-off games against South Africa and Australia, big beasts with their mind on their own forthcoming series, and intent on blooding youngsters. Ireland were without several key players - Ed Joyce and Boyd Rankin did not travel, while Niall O'Brien injured himself on tour - and were routed, taking only six wickets and not managing a single half-century. Their destroyers were two players with a point to prove: Temba Bavuma hit a hundred on one day debut for South Africa, while Australia's Usman Khawaja made his case to depose Aaron Finch with a classy unbeaten 82. In the end, neither performance was enough to earn selection for the series that followed - though sufficient to keep Ireland down at 12th.

Match reports for

Only ODI: South Africa v Ireland at Benoni, Sep 25, 2016
Report | Scorecard

Only ODI: Australia v Ireland at Benoni, Sep 27, 2016
Report | Scorecard