Ill-disciplined Ireland are shown five cards as South Africa produce a typically power-packed performance to win a chaotic autumn Test.

After autumn series defeats to New Zealand and South Africa, Ireland have again struggled to beat the very best this November.

Catherine Connolly has a change mandate that may put her at odds with Ireland's own government—and its allies in Europe and America.

Those groups played out a full home-and-away round-robin across the September, October and November international breaks with the three group winners Panama, Haiti and Curacao off to the World Cup, and the best two runners-up – Jamaica and Suriname – heading to the intercontinental play-offs.

No other competition inspires such uncomplicated, widespread joy. When you strip it back to its core, the World Cup is cynicism-proof

Italy will first host Northern Ireland in a World Cup qualifying playoff in March but then would go on the road to reach its first tournament after back-to-back failures at this stage.

Get ball-by-ball commentary for day 5 of second Test between Bangladesh and Ireland on Sunday, 23 November at Sher-E-Bangla National Cricket Stadium

Ireland will feel they are back in sync after last week’s thumping 46-19 victory over Australia. Not since the opening part of the February second half against England did they look so potent and cohesive on the ball, and they deserve kudos for the margin of success.