Cricket: New Zealand A hammered by Ireland

Anton Devcich top scored for New Zealand A in their loss to Ireland. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand A have suffered a thumping defeat by Ireland in the third game of their four-game programme in the United Arab Emirates.

Having recorded comfortable wins over the UAE and Afghanistan, NZ A, preparing for an ODI series against Pakistan and aiming to seal World Cup selection, were beaten by six wickets in Dubai.

Openers Martin Guptill and Anton Devcich shared a 102-run first wicket stand in 19 overs, and lefthander Colin Munro added a run-a-ball 50 as New Zealand reached 252 in 49.1 overs.

However Andrew Balbirnie, with a maiden 50-over century for Ireland, and Niall O'Brien took the New Zealand attack apart.

They added 133 in 17.1 overs for the second wicket to set up a four-wicket win with six overs to spare, Ireland finishing on 253 for six.

Balbirnie made 129 off 96 balls, and O'Brien 68 off 67 balls.

The teams meet again in Dubai late on Monday night.

Short scoreboard: NZ A 252 (A. Devcich 61, C. Munro 50, M. Guptill 41; Kl O'Brien 4-39) lost to Ireland 253-6 (A. Balbirnie 129, N. O'Brien 68; N. McCullum 2-26) by four wickets.