It wasn’t even close. Ireland’s bowlers had set up the series decider against Namibia but the batters let them down in the fifth one-day international in Windhoek, bowled out for 129 at the start of the 34th over.

Only four made double figures with Jordan Neill at No 8, top scorer with 33 and although the bowlers again fought hard to take five wickets, Namibia claimed their first ODI series victory against a Full Member in only the 22nd over.

It was JJ Smit was who the destroyer in chief taking three wickets in four balls - albeit with the help of more dreadful umpiring in this series - to reduce Ireland to 84 for six and despite Neill’s big-hitting knock, the damage had been done. And all this after Lorcan Tucker had won the toss and opted to bat.

Tim Tector, top scorer on his ODI debut on Friday, lasted only nine balls before skying to mid-wicket and Andrew Balbirnie’s disappointing series concluded when he was trapped in front by Max Heingo’s first delivery. He failed to reached double figures for the first time but scored just 90 runs in the five games.

Cade Carmichael tried to build an innings but when he missed an off-drive he was bowled by Jack Brassell for 27 – the story of so many top order batters in this series. Balbirnie, Tucker and Harry Tector all had top scores in the 20s

Tector finished with an average of 15.2 after driving leg spinner Willem Myburgh straight to cover, having already watched three partners fall to Smit in the 23rd over. Tucker gave a return catch, Curtis Campher, Ireland’s leading run scorer in the series, failed to add to his 234 runs after suffering the first duck of his ODI career and two balls later George Dockrell was also given out leg before, both without the chance of a DRS review, to leave Ireland 84 for six.

Neill hit four fours and a six but could not restrain himself and was another lbw victim when he missed Brassell’s nip backer. This time there were no late runs, the last three wickets falling for three runs as Gavin Hoey holed out to deep mid-wicket and Jai Moondra was caught at mid-on.

Moondra, following his career best six-for on Friday, was given six overs to add to his 10 wickets in the series but he, and Ireland, had to be satisfied with one, Michael van Lingen brilliantly caught at slip by Harry Tector.

Van Lingen’s opening partner, Louren Steenkamp hit six fours – all but one of them through the covers – and a six in his 46 off 44 balls but when he set off a single, he obviously forgot Matthew Humphreys was left-handed. His skipper Gerhard Erasmus didn’t and sent him back but a direct hit gave Ireland a third wicket.

Humphreys had already claimed his third ODI wicket when he bowled Jan Frylinck and he took a second for the first time, in his eighth match, with another turner which beat Erasmus all ends up.

When Hoey held a low return catch to dismiss Malan Kruger, Ireland thought they might have a chance with Namibia still needing 13 runs but it was not to be and Zane Green finished the match by hitting Humphreys for six.

It all left Ireland with much to ponder before they return to Namibia in February for the most important games of 2027 – the World Cup qualifiers, when they must finish in the top four (of 10) if they are to avoid the pain of failing to reach a third successive 50-over Finals.