Ireland v South Africa series: Malahide opener abandoned because of rain

Irish captain Andrew Balbirnie and predecessor William Porterfield hit half-centuries before the rain came

Rain brought a premature end to the first ODI between Ireland and South Africa in Dublin after the hosts impressed with the bat.

Ireland were 195-4 after 40.2 overs when play was abandoned following a series of rain interruptions.

Skipper Andrew Balbirnie (65) and William Porterfield (63) made half-centuries while Harry Tector added 25.

Proteas paceman Kagiso Rabada took 2-43 as the teams earned five points in the World Cup Super League.

South Africa won the toss and elected to field after a rain delay with Porterfield putting on 41 with fellow opener Paul Stirling (13) before Balbirnie joined him for a second-wicket partnership of 87.

The match was reduced to a 43-over game after stoppages but the weather intervened for a final time with the game finely poised.

"We're pretty pleased with how it went with the bat after losing the toss - we'll take confidence from it but it's just a decent start to a long home summer," said Balbirnie.

"We didn't win anything and the boys are keen to get back out on Tuesday and hopefully improve again even more."

It is the first bi-lateral series between the teams and Ireland's first home match since September 2019.

The sides will meet again at Malahide on Tuesday for the second ODI of three.