It was certainly a chastening time for Ireland Women after their recent tour of South Africa where they lost all the five matches played by a wide margin.

While it was always going to be a tough tour against a South African side that were recent World Cup finalists, the lack of competitveness in certain areas is a real concern.

The batting held up with runs as expected coming primarily from the big three of Orla Prendergast, Gaby Lewis and Amy Hunter who between them scored the four fifties recorded in the five games.

Leah Paul, Rebecca Stokell, Sarah Forbes and Christina Coulter-Reilly all showed glimpses of their potential as the Irish batting certainly didn't look out of place despite the step up in the quality of opposition.

The same can't be said of the bowling, which lacked quality, variety, and penetration.

It has to be said their cause wasn't helped by the fielding, which was well below the standard required for an international side. The pressure applied by the South African batters saw them visibly wilt, the lack of pace, mobility, and athleticism laid bare in front of the cameras.

The one positive was the reintroduction of Aimee Maguire, with the young Hills left-arm spinner taking seven wickets to be far and away their leading performer, so not all doom and gloom.

There's a huge tournament ahead for Lloyd Tennant's squad in Nepal next month, and this experience, chastening as it was, will stand them in good stead for hopefully a successful qualification campaign.

IRELAND BATTING

IRELAND BOWLING