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

Resilience of Rachin and Tom - It didn't take long to recognise that Ravindra and Blundell had emerged from Lunch as a transformed pair. Rachin was first to announce his intent, stroking his way to a sixth Test half-century and visibly growing in confidence with every run. The longer he spent at the crease, the clearer his decision-making became, knowing precisely when to play his shots and when to leave well alone. The same evolution was unfolding at the other end for Blundell. Tom had looked tentative early on, particularly against the short-pitched delivery, which had him shuffling and uncertain, but as his feet found rhythm and his eye sharpened, those poor deliveries started being dispatched to the fence with authority and conviction.

TEA ON DAY 1 - New Zealand resumed after Lunch at 104 for 4, with Rachin Ravindra well set on 45 and Tom Blundell on 10, the pair tasked with rebuilding after a chaotic morning session that saw Ireland draw first blood emphatically. This is the first-ever Test between the two sides, and Ireland came out in the afternoon with the same intent and discipline that had served them so well in the opening session. New Zealand were pegged back at 91 for 4 moments before the Lunch break during the first session,  before Ravindra and Blundell dug in and began to rebuild with patience.

Liam McCarthy to Tom Blundell, Slightly shorter from Liam McCarthy, on leg, Tom Blundell tucks it through mid-wicket for a single. That will be Tea on Day 1.

Liam McCarthy to Tom Blundell, Short, outside off, Tom Blundell reads it well and leaves it alone. 

Liam McCarthy to Tom Blundell, Past the edge! Hard length, just outside off, shaping away a touch. Tom Blundell looks to block it but gets beaten.

Liam McCarthy to Rachin Ravindra, Angling in, on a length, on off. Rachin Ravindra reaches out to it and taps it to cover for a single.

Liam McCarthy to Rachin Ravindra, FOUR! Not where he intended! Short ball, on middle and leg, Rachin Ravindra pulls it but doesn't connect well. The ball still goes over mid-wicket and races away to the fence.

Liam McCarthy to Rachin Ravindra, A tad fuller, on off, Rachin Ravindra looks to drive it but miscues it to the mid on fielder.

Thomas Mayes to Tom Blundell, Back of a length, on leg, Tom Blundell looks to block it but wears it high on his pads. The ball rolls back to the bowler. Dot.

Thomas Mayes to Tom Blundell, Keeps it full, on off, Tom Blundell covers his line and blocks it to short cover.

Thomas Mayes to Tom Blundell, A tad fuller, just outside off, Tom Blundell taps it to mid off.

Thomas Mayes to Tom Blundell, Oh! Length, just outside off, shaping in. Tom Blundell looks to block it but gets an inside edge onto his pads. The ball rolls back to the bowler. Dot.

Thomas Mayes to Rachin Ravindra, Angling in, on a length, on off. Rachin Ravindra taps it to short cover for a single.

Thomas Mayes to Rachin Ravindra, Good length, outside off, Rachin Ravindra leaves it alone.

Liam McCarthy to Tom Blundell, FOUR! That was some shot from Tom Blundell! Back of a length, outside off, Tom Blundell hops a bit and punches it on the gap through point for a boundary.

Liam McCarthy to Tom Blundell, Bangs it short, outside off, Tom Latham leaves it alone.

Liam McCarthy to Tom Blundell, Nice and full, on leg, Tom Blundell flicks it to the fielder at mid-wicket.

Liam McCarthy to Tom Blundell, Length again, outside off, Tom Blundell shoulders arms at it.

Liam McCarthy to Tom Blundell, That one kept low! Hard length, outside off, and it keeps low. Tom Blundell has a waft at it but misses.

Liam McCarthy to Rachin Ravindra, Back of a length, outside off, Rachin Ravindra punches it to cover for a single.

Thomas Mayes to Tom Blundell, Slower one, outside off, Tom Blundell leaves it again.

Thomas Mayes to Tom Blundell, Hard length, outside off, Tom Blundell leaves the harmless delivery.

Thomas Mayes to Tom Blundell, Nice and full, on off, Tom Blundell blocks it to mid on.

Thomas Mayes to Tom Blundell, Thomas Mayes slows it up, outside off, Tom Blundell leaves it alone.

Thomas Mayes to Tom Blundell, Much fuller, on leg, Tom Blundell flicks it to the fielder at mid-wicket.

Thomas Mayes to Tom Blundell, Angling in, on a length, on leg. Tom Blundell tucks it to short mid-wicket.

Liam McCarthy to Rachin Ravindra, Too full, outside off, Rachin Ravindra eases it to the cover fielder.

Liam McCarthy to Rachin Ravindra, Bangs it short, on leg, Rachin Ravindra ducks underneath it.

Liam McCarthy to Tom Blundell, Too full, just outside off, Tom Blundell taps it to short cover for a quick single.

Liam McCarthy to Tom Blundell, Hard length, on off, Tom Blundell pushes it uppishly towards the mid off fielder. 

Liam McCarthy to Rachin Ravindra, Liam McCarthy keeps it full, on leg, Rachin Ravindra flicks it to mid-wicket for a single.

Liam McCarthy to Rachin Ravindra, Much fuller from Liam McCarthy, outside off, Rachin Ravindra forces it to cover.

Thomas Mayes to Tom Blundell, Nice and full, outside off, Tom Blundell pushes it to the cover fielder.

Thomas Mayes to Tom Blundell, Good length, outside off, Tom Blundell moves forward but decides to leave it.

Thomas Mayes to Tom Blundell, Appeal for caught behind but the umpire is unmoved. Hard length, outside off, shaping away a shade. Tom Blundell has a waft at it but misses. A stifled appeal for caught behind but nothing from the umpire.

Thomas Mayes to Tom Blundell, Bangs it short, outside off, Tom Blundell leaves the harmless delivery.

Thomas Mayes to Tom Blundell, Nice and full, on off, Tom Blundell pushes it to the cover fielder.

Thomas Mayes to Tom Blundell, Hard length, outside off, Tom Blundell shoulders arms at it.

Andy McBrine to Rachin Ravindra, Three dots to end the over. Full, on middle, Rachin Ravindra leans on and blocks it back to the bowler.

Andy McBrine to Rachin Ravindra, Fired in, on off, Rachin Ravindra pushes it to mid off.

Andy McBrine to Rachin Ravindra, Much fuller, on middle and leg, Rachin Ravindra lunges and blocks it back to the bowler.

Andy McBrine to Tom Blundell, Much fuller, on leg, Tom Blundell flicks it to mid-wicket for a single. 200 comes up for New Zealand.

Andy McBrine to Tom Blundell, FOUR! There comes the reverse sweep! Full, just outside off, Tom Blundell changes his stance and plays a reverse sweep through short third. The fielder chases but the ball wins the race.

Andy McBrine to Rachin Ravindra, Flatter, just outside off, Rachin Ravindra cuts it through covers for a single.

Thomas Mayes to Tom Blundell, Thomas Mayes slows it up, outside off, Tom Blundell leaves it alone.

Thomas Mayes to Tom Blundell, A tad fuller, on leg, Tom Blundell flicks it to mid-wicket.

Thomas Mayes to Tom Blundell, Slightly shorter, on off, Tom Blundell blocks it off the toe end of his bat. The ball bounces behind towards the right of the keeper. Luckily, it didn't hit the stumps.

Thomas Mayes to Tom Blundell, Hard length, on middle and leg, Tom Blundell covers his line and blocks it to mid on.

Thomas Mayes to Tom Blundell, Slows it up, outside off, Tom Blundell shoulders arms at it.

Thomas Mayes to Tom Blundell, Thomas Mayes bangs it short, on off, Tom Blundell hops a bit and blocks it to cover.