Ireland lose to New Zealand

A brave battling performance wasn't enough to give Ireland a win at the Women's World Twenty20 yesterday. But it put the rest of the competition on notice that they mean business.

Isobel Joyce's women scored 129-5, by far their best T20 score against a top nation as they ran New Zealand within 42 runs.

The Kiwis have always been among the top three nations in women's cricket and showed their power with the bat after a slow start.

Suzie Bates (68) and Frances Mackay (51) put on 116 for the first wicket before both were removed by Eimear Richardson.

Isobel Joyce's first two overs went for just three, and she finished with top-class figures of 4-1-17-1.

Elena Tice bowled her first three overs for 15, but was hit for two sixes in the last over of the innings by Sara McGlashan, sister of test player Peter, as the Black Ferns totalled 171-3.

Chasing 8.6 an over, Ireland started positively through Clare Shillington, who hit 28 off 25 balls including three successive boundaries off Hayley Jensen..

The experienced Joyce sisters took up the charge, with Isobel hitting 24 and Cecelia an excellent unbeaten 39.

The target was just too great, but the bats were unfazed and hit 17 fours, just one less than the Kiwis.

Trent Johnston's side have an even tougher test tomorrow against Australia but the form shown against the Black Ferns will mean they will be shown respect.