Ireland tour ends with Otago defeat after Jesse Ryder's quickfire 136

Ireland's final match of their tour of Australia and New Zealand ended in defeat as Jesse Ryder's 136 in just 57 balls earned Otago a three-wicket win.

Ryder, who had a brief stint as an overseas professional with Ireland in 2007, hit eight sixes and 18 fours as Otago chased down Ireland's 248-8.

Otago reached 251-7 in just 31.5 overs with Iain Robertson contributing 53.

Andrew Balbirnie top-scored with 59 for Ireland with tailender Andrew McBrine unbeaten on 43 as the innings closed.

McBrine's efforts looked to have helped Ireland post a competitive total but it was not to be as Ryder's brutal assault on the tourists's seamers sealed Otago's comprehensive win.

Balbirnie put on 75 for the third wicket with Andrew Poynter [38] but both then fell in quick succession before the departures of Kevin O'Brien and John Mooney left the Irish struggling on 146-6.

McBrine's late efforts combined with Stuart Poynter's 32 helped the visitors reach 248-8 as they batted out their 50 overs.

However, opener Ryder ripped into the Irish attack from the off in the Otago innings as he helped the New Zealand outfit reach 80-3 by the 10th over.

Ryder, currently out of favour with New Zealand, added a further 106 in just 10.3 overs with Robertson content to play second fiddle.

His dismissal, as he was caught by John Mooney off George Dockrell, gave the Irish some hope as Andrew McBrine dismissed Derek de Boorder and Robertson to leave Otago on 216-6.

However, Nick Beard's unbeaten 24, helped by Sam Wells's 20 ensured Otago got over the line with three wickets and 109 deliveries to spare.

The loss left the Irish without a win on the second leg of their tour after previous defeats by Canterbury and the Northern Districts and an abandonment in the fixture against a New Zealand XI.

The World Cup warm-up tour started in Australia with two defeats by Queensland Bulls followed by two victories over ACT Comets.

Ireland coach Phil Simmons was not present for Thursday's match after having to return home to his native Trinidad to be with his ill mother.

Ireland captain William Porterfield returned home last week because of personal reasons while Andrew White and Middlesex duo Paul Stirling and Tim Murtagh pulled out of the tour because of injury.