Ireland vs New Zealand, Live Score: Rachin Ravindra and Tom Blundell both hit tons in epic 200-run stand

See you tomorrow - That brings an end to all the exciting action from Day 1. The visitors will resume their innings tomorrow at a strong score of 361 for 5. Make sure to tune back in for the start of Day 2 on 28th May 2026 at 10 am GMT. Cheers for now!

Rachin Ravindra of NZ is up for a chat - Rachin says that it felt nice to play here in Ireland in front of an amazing crowd. Rachin adds that Ireland were excellent to begin with, as they lost quick wickets at the start, but they were lucky to recover from that. Rachin Ravindra adds that the wicket got better as the day went on, and he is happy with how things ended. Rachin also reckons that Dean Foxcroft has looked brilliant on his debut as well and he concludes by saying that the crowd is great here and everyone loves this game.

Ireland finally broke the stand - Ireland finally got the breakthrough late in the day when Harry Tector dismissed Ravindra, breaking the epic stand. Adair was the star with the ball, picking up three wickets, but the damage was already done. Blundell remained absolutely immovable, finding a reliable partner in Dean Foxcroft. Together, they added an unbeaten 58 runs before Stumps. Blundell walked off to a standing ovation on 142 not out, with Foxcroft on 38 not out, locking in a dominant position for the Kiwis.

Blundell and Ravindra stitched a massive stand - Enter Tom Blundell. What followed was an absolute masterclass in batting from Blundell and Ravindra. The duo weathered the storm and then launched a sensational counter-attack, putting on a marathon 217 runs together. Both batters raised their bats for spectacular centuries. They played beautifully under the afternoon sun and stayed unbeaten for the entire second session.

Kiwis stumbled further to 86/4 - The session continued with a tense battle. The legendary Kane Williamson tried to steady the ship with Ravindra, but he fell just as things looked stable, leaving the tourists in deep trouble at 85/3. Just a run later, Daryl Mitchell was caught out for a solitary run. At 86/4, New Zealand stared down the barrel of a cheap dismissal. Ireland was on top of the world, but that proved to be their last celebration for a very long time.

Adair fired early for Ireland - Irish skipper Andy Balbirnie won the toss and bowled first under grey skies, and his bowlers delivered early on. Mark Adair was absolutely lethal, finding a sharp opening delivery to send Kiwi captain Tom Latham walking back for a duck. With the ball swinging around, Ireland struck again quickly, leaving New Zealand absolutely rattled at 21/2. The home crowd buzzed as the top order looked totally helpless against a relentless Irish attack.

Kiwis ruled Day 1 - So, New Zealand have ended the day with a massive 361/5, pulling off an incredible rescue act after a disastrous morning. Tom Blundell was the ultimate hero of the day, standing tall with a majestic, unbeaten 142. Alongside him, a brilliant 217-run partnership with young Rachin Ravindra completely turned the game on its head. Ireland started like a house on fire, but the visitors firmly seized control by the time the bails were lifted.

STUMPS ON DAY 1 - A day that was dominated by New Zealand. Ireland started brilliantly by tearing through New Zealand's top order, but the Kiwis fought back fiercely with a massive partnership to gain the momentum at the end of the Day.

Liam McCarthy to Dean Foxcroft, Slightly shorter, outside off, Devon Conway punches it to the fielder at short cover. That will be STUMPS on Day 1.

Liam McCarthy to Tom Blundell, Slightly shorter, on off, Tom Blundell rocks back and punches it through covers for a single.

Liam McCarthy to Tom Blundell, Angling in, on a length, on off. Tom Blundell covers his line and blocks it to short cover.

Liam McCarthy to Tom Blundell, Bangs it short, on off, Tom Blundell hops a bit and blocks it back to the bowler.

Liam McCarthy to Tom Blundell, Slows it up, outside off, Tom Blundell leaves it alone.

Liam McCarthy to Dean Foxcroft, Three runs! Much fuller, on middle and leg, Dean Foxcroft leans on and flicks it through mid-wicket. The fielder has a long chase to do as the batters collect three runs.

Thomas Mayes to Tom Blundell, Hard length, wide of off, Tom Blundell doesn't poke at it and sees it into the gloves of the keeper.

Thomas Mayes to Tom Blundell, Back of a length, around off, shaping back into the batter but Tom Blundell covers his off stump and leaves it. 

Thomas Mayes to Tom Blundell, Good length, shaping away from the batter. Tom Blundell leaves it all alone. 

Thomas Mayes to Tom Blundell, Thomas goes full and on the pads, Tom Blundell tucks this towards mid-wicket for no run.

Thomas Mayes to Tom Blundell, Another one in the channel, wide of off, Tom Blundell shoulders his arms at it. 

Thomas Mayes to Tom Blundell, Right in the channel, around off, Tom Blundell leaves it. 

Liam McCarthy to Dean Foxcroft, Yorker, on the pads, Daryl Mitchell tucks this to mid-wicket for a dot.

Liam McCarthy to Dean Foxcroft, Good length, on off, Dean Foxcroft gets right behind the line of the ball and keeps it out.

Liam McCarthy to Dean Foxcroft, Full and around off, Dean Foxcroft drives this well but straight at covers.

Liam McCarthy to Dean Foxcroft, Back of a length, around the pads, Dean Foxcroft steps inside the line and tucks this to fine leg for two.

Liam McCarthy to Dean Foxcroft, FOUR! The 50-run partnership comes up between Dean Foxcroft and Tom Blundell. Short and around off, Dean Foxcroft stands tall and pulls this in front of square on leg towards the deep mid-wicket region for four runs. 

Liam McCarthy to Tom Blundell, Short and on off, Tom Blundell dabs this past the right of the fielder at gully for one.

Thomas Mayes to Dean Foxcroft, Almost induces an edge does Thomas here. Good length, around off, Dean Foxcroft presses onto his front foot and looks to keep it out but the ball shapes away and beats him on his outside edge.

Thomas Mayes to Dean Foxcroft, Back of a length, around off, Dean Foxcroft defends this to covers.

Thomas Mayes to Dean Foxcroft, Full and wide of off, Dean Foxcroft doesn't poke at it.

Thomas Mayes to Dean Foxcroft, Good length, wide of off, shaping away from the right-hander. Dean Foxcroft doesn't offer any stroke at it.

Thomas Mayes to Dean Foxcroft, Full and wide of off, shaping away from the batter, Dean Foxcroft leaves it.

Thomas Mayes to Dean Foxcroft, Back of a length, around off, Dean Foxcroft rocks back and keeps it out.

Liam McCarthy to Dean Foxcroft, Slower one, full and around off, Dean Foxcroft gets it edged off the inside towards fine leg for one run. 

Liam McCarthy to Dean Foxcroft, Pitched up, around off, Dean Foxcroft drives this towards mid off but the fielder overruns it to his left and misfields it for two.

Liam McCarthy to Dean Foxcroft, Back of a length, around off, Dean Foxcroft thumps this to covers for a dot.

Liam McCarthy to Tom Blundell, LEG BYE! Good length, around middle and leg, Tom Blundell goes for a flick but misses and the ball deflects off his pads to point for a leg bye. 

Liam McCarthy to Tom Blundell, Hard length, wide of off, Tom Blundell leaves it all alone. 

Liam McCarthy to Tom Blundell, Good length, around middle and off, nipping back sharply into the batter. Tom Blundell gets beaten on the inside and is hit on his pads. A loud and confident appeal by the home side but the umpire turns it down.

Mark Adair to Dean Foxcroft, Full and wide of off, Dean Foxcroft drives this towards the left of covers for no run.

Mark Adair to Tom Blundell, Short and wide of off, Tom Blundell hops onto his back foot and pulls this from the cue end of his bat towards the long on fence for three runs. 

Mark Adair to Tom Blundell, Hard length, on off, Tom Blundell gets right on top of the bounce and keeps it out.

Mark Adair to Dean Foxcroft, Good length, around off, Dean Foxcroft pushes this through mid-wicket for one.

Mark Adair to Dean Foxcroft, Full and wide of off, shaping away from the batter. Dean Foxcroft presses in front and leaves it all alone. 

Mark Adair to Dean Foxcroft, Short and around the leg side, Dean Foxcroft comes inside the line and tucks this to fine leg for a couple. 

Liam McCarthy to Tom Blundell, Back of a length, on leg, Tom Blundell looks to flick it but wears it high on his pads. A stifled appeal but turned down.

Liam McCarthy to Tom Blundell, Beaten! Back of a length, outside off, Tom Blundell has a waft at it but misses. A stifled appeal for caught behind but nothing from the umpire.

Liam McCarthy to Tom Blundell, Nice and full, targeting the stumps, Tom Blundell blocks it to mid off.

Liam McCarthy to Dean Foxcroft, Angling in, on a length, on off, Dean Foxcroft taps it to cover for a quick single.

Liam McCarthy to Dean Foxcroft, Sways it down leg, Dean Foxcroft leaves it alone.

Liam McCarthy to Dean Foxcroft, Too full, on off, Dean Foxcroft blocks it to short cover.