IRELAND fell 21 short of the stiff target set by South Africa last night in Bristol – but for much of the second innings the world number three Twenty20 side was in real danger of an embarrassing defeat.

Wicketkeeper Lorcan Tucker played the innings of his career, backed up his Leinster Lightning captain George Dockrell who recorded his highest score at this level.

The pair put on 86 runs in less than eight overs, smashing the ball to all parts of the English county ground which played host because Ireland do not have enough international standard pitches in a very busy summer.

Half-centuries from Reeza Hendricks and Aiden Markram propelled South Africa to a huge total of 211 for five in the first of the two-match series.

Hendricks, who starred in his country’s recent series win over England, continued his fine form by making 74 from 53 balls during the day-night match.

The opener shared a third-wicket partnership of 112 with Markram, who smashed five sixes en route to hitting 56 from just 27 deliveries. Leg spinner Gareth Delany claimed the wickets of Hendricks and Markram from successive balls in the 16th over but Ireland’s bowling was too often wayward and ill-disciplined, while the field placement was eccentric — to put a kind spin on it.

The fielding was patchy too, although enlivened by a stunning diving run-out by Harry Tector to remove Proteas opener Quintin de Kock.

Although Ireland have never successfully chased a target higher than 194, they batted with power and aggression, a maxim of new coach Heinrich Malan.

The opening pair of Andrew Balbirnie and Paul Stirling have been relied upon too long in the past to give Ireland a strong start, but neither are in good form and despite playing positively both perished in the teens.

Lorcan Tucker and Tector kept up the pace but a middle order collapse from 72 for two to 84 for five looked fatal.

But Tucker managed seven fours and five sixes in an impressive knock of 78 from 38 deliveries, while 43 from George Dockrell further boosted the Irish cause.

The Irish six-hitting was extraordinary, and even outscored the powerful Proteas top order, with 11 sixes coming from the boys in green to just eight by their opponents.

Yet hope of a famous win was effectively extinguished when ­—just as in the South Africans innings — the pair fell in quick succession to Tabraiz Shamsi and Dwaine Pretorius respectively.

Ireland, who finished on 190 for nine with a straight six by Barry McCarthy, will have another opportunity to claim a first victory over South Africa in the format when the two sides meet again on Friday.

Captain Balbirnie said afterwards “Two hundred isn’t too much. I thought we were in the game for a long time but losing two wickets in two balls turned the game.

‘We’ve been playing pretty good cricket and we’ve been producing results, I hope we can level the series on Friday.’