Ireland vs New Zealand Match Highlights & Results

Time for the trophy lift - Tom Latham collects the winners' trophy and joins his teammates in posing for a team photo. Not many surprises in this one-off Test, and even a fairly inexperienced New Zealand side proved to be very overpowering against an Irish side that was dealing with a few player transitions as well. Overall, this will give plenty of exposure to the young players on both sides as they navigate their way through red-ball cricket. Moving on, New Zealand now set their eyes on the Crowe-Thorpe Trophy as they travel to England for a three-match Test series beginning on June 4. The first Test of the series will be played at Lord's and will begin at 10 am GMT, so be sure to join us for that. As for Ireland, they have a bit of a break before welcoming India for a white-ball series late in June. We bid adieu for now and hope you enjoyed our coverage. Until next time, then, take care, and goodbye!

The captain of New Zealand - Tom Latham says that they put good pressure on the Irish batting side, and it worked well. He adds that Nathan Smith was brilliant with the ball and Blair Tickner was relentless in the last innings as well. He reckons that it was a nice test and they will hope to come back here and play again. He reckons that they were put under pressure with the new ball, but they made a good comeback and put the pressure back on the opponents. He says that Rachin and Blundell had a great partnership, and there were other players who stepped up as well. He ends by saying that they are happy to come and play here in Belfast, and they are happy to play this Test match.

Let's now hear from the skipper of Ireland - Andy Balbirnie starts by speaking on the performance of their opposition. He says that they were phenomenal with their cricket. Adds that they were clinical with their bowling performances and have played really well throughout the three days. Continues that his team started really well in the first inning, as their bowlers got the rhythm, but as the game rolled on, the Kiwis got hold of the game. On his toss decision to bowl first, he says that he wouldn't change that decision even with the reult in mind. Balbirnie further adds that they needed to execute their plans better. As he said earlier, they started very well but failed to continue with the momentum. On the performances of their three debutants, he says that they played very well. They have huge talent, but it needs guidance to get better results. About the future of Irish cricket, the skipper comments that they want to play more Test cricket, as the boys love to play this long format of cricket. Ends up congratulating the Kiwis for winning the match.

POTM - Tom Blundell is the Player of the Match for his excellent knock of 186 runs. He says that it feels good, and it was good to get support from Rachin Ravindra as well. He further says that the wicket was a bit difficult to bat on. He reckons that their bowlers did a great job with the ball, and Dean Foxcroft had a brilliant debut as well with the bat. He ends by saying that he has enjoyed his time here, and the weather was great as well. They are well prepared for the England tour.

The Presentation ceremony...

Let's recap the first two days - After putting New Zealand into bat and fielding as many as three debutants, Ireland made early inroads and even managed to bog down the visitors to 86/4. However, things shifted drastically after that and the Irish bowlers found it really difficult to get a breakthrough. Rachin Ravindra and Tom Blundell put on a staggering stand of 217 runs, and both of them notched up their tons as well. Blundell then put on 158 runs with Dean Foxcroft as well before falling for 186. Foxcroft, playing his maiden Test match agonizingly short of a debut ton as he got out on 98 and the Kiwis declared at 490/8. Ireland were under the pump and were 38/6, staring at a lead in excess of 400 runs in the first innings. That's when Andy McBrine and Mark Adair stitched together a 116-run stand and the hosts eventually got bowled out for 179 runs. Nathan Smith was the wrecker-in-chief, picking up 6 wickets as the Kiwis enforced the follow-on, whilst having a first innings lead of 311 runs. Day 2 ended with Ireland 65/2 in their second innings with Blair Tickner doing the early damage.

A short Test to say the least - It was a shortened four-day Test, but New Zealand only required a couple of days and a couple of sessions on Day 3 to seal the win. Ireland began the day at 65/2, but the first session belonged to the visitors as they picked up a few wickets and until late in the session, there were hardly any runs scored. Things changed in the second session as Ireland started to go after the bowling a bit, with the likes of Stephen Doheny and Lorcan Tucker scoring a couple of half-centuries. Mark Adair scored an unbeaten 44 to drag down the margin of defeat by a fair bit, but it was still a hefty loss. Blair Tickner was the pick of the bowlers in the second innings, as he picked up a maiden Test five-fer, making good use of the short ball more often than not.

New Zealand reign supreme - The Kiwis flex their Test-match experience and hand Ireland a thumping, as they win by an innings and 79 runs. Also, with Curtis Campher unable to bat due to an injury, Ireland's second innings comes to an end with 9 wickets lost.

Blair Tickner to Reuben Wilson, OUT! c Daryl Mitchell b Blair Tickner.OUT! TAKEN! There it is. A five-wicket haul for Blair Tickner. Angling in, on a length, on off. Reuben Wilson stays back in his crease and looks to block it. The ball shapes away a touch and kisses the outside edge of Reuben Wilson's blade. It carries towards Daryl Mitchell at second slip, who dives to his left and takes a comfortable catch. New Zealand beat Ireland by an innings and 79 runs as Curtis Campher won't be taking part in this match. A dominant victory for the Kiwis.

Blair Tickner to Mark Adair, 1 run.Short, on middle, Mark Adair pulls it on the bounce towards deep mid-wicket. He decides to take a single again on the first ball of the over.

Ben Sears to Reuben Wilson, No run.Reuben Wilson survives yet again. Hard length, outside off, holds the line. Wilson reads it well and leaves it alone.

Ben Sears to Reuben Wilson, No run.Back of a length, outside off, Reuben Wilson stays back and dabs it to the gully fielder.

Ben Sears to Reuben Wilson, No run.Good length, shaping in, on middle. Reuben Wilson covers his line and blocks it back to the bowler.

Ben Sears to Mark Adair, 1 run.A slower bouncer, outside off, Mark Adair knocks it down to long off for a single.

Ben Sears to Mark Adair, No run.Bangs it short, on leg, Mark Adair shuffles across and looks to slap it but misses.

Ben Sears to Mark Adair, No run.Slightly shorter, outside off, Mark Adair makes room and looks to slap it but misses.

Blair Tickner to Mark Adair, 1 run.Angling in, on a length, on off. Mark Adair punches it through point for a single.

Blair Tickner to Mark Adair, No run.Short and wide, slower too. Mark Adair leaves it alone.

Blair Tickner to Reuben Wilson, Bye.Back of a length, just outside off, and it keeps low. Reuben Wilson looks to block it, but gets beaten. The ball just misses the off pole. The keeper fails to stop it as the batters collect a bye.

Blair Tickner to Reuben Wilson, Four!FOUR! Reuben Wilson has his first runs in Test cricket, but in a streaky manner. Hard length, outside off, Reuben Wilson throws a kitchen sink at it. Gets an outside edge as the ball flies over the slip cordon for a boundary.

Blair Tickner to Reuben Wilson, No run.Slows it up, outside off, Reuben Wilson blocks it to point.

Blair Tickner to Mark Adair, 1 run.Back of a length, down leg, following the batter. Mark Adair shuffles across and guides it to third man for a single. Strange decision as he leaves Reuben Wilson to survive for the remaining five balls.

Ben Sears to Reuben Wilson, No run.Wilson survives! Good length, just outside off, Reuben Wilson has a waft at it but gets beaten.

Ben Sears to Reuben Wilson, No run.Ben Sears bangs it short, on off, Reuben Wilson sways away from it.

Ben Sears to Reuben Wilson, No run.Reuben Wilson survives another ball. Good length, just outside off, Reuben Wilson covers his line and blocks it to the point fielder.

Ben Sears to Reuben Wilson, No run.Angling in, on a length, on off. Reuben Wilson blocks it back to the bowler.

Ben Sears to Reuben Wilson, No run.That just missed the off pole! Hard length, outside off, Reuben Wilson puts his bat to it but gets a bottom edge. The ball bounces past the off pole and goes towards the keeper.

Ben Sears to Reuben Wilson, No run.A slower bouncer, outside off, Reuben Wilson shoulders arms at it.

Ireland loses their eighth wicket. With Curtis Campher still not available, Reuben Wilson walks up to the middle as the new batter.

Blair Tickner to Mark Adair, OUT! run out (Devon Conway / Blair Tickner).OUT! LIAM McCARTHY IS RUN OUT! There's chaos out in the middle and an untimely slip hands the Kiwis their 8th wicket. Blair Tickner stays around the wicket, bangs it halfway down the pitch and over off stump. Mark Adair goes after it and slaps it high up over covers, no timing on it, though. The batters complete two runs with ease as Devon Conway chases it down. But Adair wants the strike and they look for the third. Adair realizes it isn't there and McCarthy also turns back but slips just before making his ground. Conway throws the ball to the keeper and Tickner whips off the bails. It is given out onfield.

Blair Tickner to Mark Adair, No run.Tickner goes around the wicket and darts it well across off. Adair ducks under it.

Blair Tickner to Mark Adair, Four!FOUR! The Kiwis are hemorrhaging runs at the moment. Another short ball, and again Adair backs away, clubbing it down towards long on for another boundary.

Blair Tickner to Mark Adair, 4 Byes.FOUR BYES! That's a wild one from Tickner and Ireland are still in with a chance to avoid an innings defeat. Too short and angling in. Adair backs away and misses and the ball sailsover the keeper, into the fine leg fence.

Blair Tickner to Mark Adair, Four!FOUR! Pumped down the ground and the Kiwi lead has now been cut to under 100 runs, currently standing at 98. Overpitched delivery on middle, Mark Adair makes room and laces it wide of long off for a boundary.

Blair Tickner to Mark Adair, No run.A juicy full toss, just angling down leg. Adair backs away early and is just taken aback by the length of the ball as he swings through thin air.

DRINKS BREAK! New Zealand need just three wickets to win this contest, but on the other hand, Ireland are trying hard to take the lead. Mark Adair is looking very sharp. The short ball tactic is just not working against him, so the Kiwi bowlers need to take out a different approach to eliminate the batter. Also, according to the on-air commentators, Curtis Campher is at the hospital getting scans done on his left hand, and he won't be available to bat. On the other end, Liam McCarthy is just trying to protect the wicket and let the game roll. Ireland trail by 102 runs. Blair Tickner will continue his spell.

Nathan Smith to Liam McCarthy, No run.Back of a length, just outside off and pushed into the left-hander. However, the ball straightens after pitching and Liam McCarthy does well to hop back and play inside the line. Ireland now trail by 102 runs.

Nathan Smith to Mark Adair, Bye.A rare fumble from the keeper. Short of a length, darts back in with some extra bounce. Adair makes room but is beaten and Tom Blundell fails to collect it clenaly to his left. The batters get a bye.

Nathan Smith to Mark Adair, Four!FOUR! Wow, that's a shot! Good length, attacking off and middle. Mark Adair backs away early and smacks it through the huge gap at covers for a boundary.

Nathan Smith to Mark Adair, No ball!Another short ball, just outside off, seams away as well whilst staying low. Adair ducks under it and, once again, Nathan Smith has overstepped. NO BALL!

Nathan Smith to Mark Adair, No run.Short of a length, angled back into the batter. Adair tries to back away and go over the off side but is beaten fopr pace and bounce.

Nathan Smith to Mark Adair, No run.An attempted bumper, around off, and this one stays low. Adair ducks under it.

Nathan Smith to Mark Adair, 2 runs.Nowhere near the middle of the bat. Full and attacking the stumps, Mark Adair hangs back and gives it an all-mighty hoick. Mistimes it over mid on and picks up two runs.

Nathan Smith to Mark Adair, No ball!Pitched up full and just outside off, Adair looks for the expansive drive but gets beaten past the inside edge. It is given as a No Ball for overstepping.

Blair Tickner to Liam McCarthy, No run.Good-length delivery, darted back in from outside off. McCarthy gets pegged back and wears it high on the pads.

Blair Tickner to Mark Adair, 1 run.Dug in even shorter, over middle, Mark Adair has to reach high up and he flat-bats it wide of deep mid-wicket for one. 200 UP FOR IRELAND.

Blair Tickner to Mark Adair, Four!FOUR! The short-stuff isn't quite working out for Tickner and New Zealand right now. Dug in short over middle and leg, Adair puts a lot of force and slaps the pull wide of long on for another boundary. He's scored plenty of handy runs in this Test match for Ireland.

Blair Tickner to Mark Adair, 2 runs.Good work in the deep. Tickner comes around the wicket and darts a shortish ball well across off. Adair reaches out and slashes it to the left of Ben Sears at deep backward point for a couple of runs.

Blair Tickner to Mark Adair, No ball!Much fuller, on a good length and over middle. Adair sets up to pull but gets an inside edge onto the pads. Also, Blair Tickner has overstepped here and a No Ball is called.

Blair Tickner to Mark Adair, No run.Shorter in length again, over the stumps, Mark makes room to wallop it away but misses.

Blair Tickner to Mark Adair, Four!FOUR! The field was set for the short-ball ploy and Mark Adair just takes it on. Banged in short over middle, Adair backs away and drags the hook shot up and over backward square leg for a boundary. Ireland trail by 119 runs now.

Nathan Smith to Liam McCarthy, No run.A bumper to end the over, five runs off it. Dug in well short over off and middle, McCarthy ducks under it with ease.

Nathan Smith to Liam McCarthy, No run.Fullish length, slanted in towards middle stump. McCarthy shows the full face of the bat and blocks it off.

Nathan Smith to Liam McCarthy, No run.Full-pitched delivery outside off, McCarthy punches it into the deck and Smith springs to his right in the followthrough to make a good stop.

Nathan Smith to Liam McCarthy, No run.Well bowled! Smith pulls the length back a bit and gets the ball to shape away from the fourth-stump line. McCarthy plays inside the line.

Nathan Smith to Liam McCarthy, Four!FOUR! Another good-looking shot from Liam McCarthy. Full and outside off, bowled from around the wicket. McCarthy leans ahead and punches it uppishly, but through the gap at covers and the ball rolls away into the fence.

Nathan Smith to Mark Adair, 1 run.Adair had no idea where that went. Good length, in the channel, Adair looks to cut but gets an inside edge down to fine leg for a single. Ireland now trail by 127 runs.

Zakary Foulkes to Liam McCarthy, No run.Another good-length delivery, outside off, Liam McCarthy doesn't offer any shot at it.

Zakary Foulkes to Liam McCarthy, No run.Pitches it on a good length, outside off, left alone by Liam McCarthy.

Zakary Foulkes to Liam McCarthy, Four!FOUR! Excellent shot! Foulkes once again pushes his length fuller, outside off. Liam McCarthy brings out his front foot to get near the delivery and presents the full face of the bat to drive it toward the left of Blair Tickner in the short cover region for four runs.

Zakary Foulkes to Liam McCarthy, No run.Back of a length, outside off, Liam McCarthy lets it travel to the keeper.

Zakary Foulkes to Liam McCarthy, No run.Beautiful delivery from Foulkes! He bowls it fuller yet again, outside off, but swings it away from the batter. Liam McCarthy looks to offer a drive at it, but it zips past the outside edge.

Zakary Foulkes to Liam McCarthy, 2 runs.Pitches it up, does Zakary Foulkes, outside off, Liam McCarthy neatly drives it between the cover and point fielders and gets a couple of runs.

Nathan Smith to Mark Adair, No run.On a length, outside off, Mark Adair blocks it to point.

Nathan Smith to Mark Adair, No ball!NO BALL! The umpire has already given two bouncer warnings and now, with the third short delivery, which is going over the batter, the umpire has called it a No Ball. Mark Adair leaves it alone and gets a bonus run for the team.

Nathan Smith to Mark Adair, No run.Bumper, on middle, Mark Adair detects the bouncer and ducks under it.

Nathan Smith to Mark Adair, 2 runs.Back of a length, around the hips of the batter. Mark Adair clips it with soft hands to mid-wicket and gets another brace.

Nathan Smith to Mark Adair, 2 runs.Fuller in length, around off, Mark Adair pushes it into the gap between backward point and cover and picks up a double.

Nathan Smith to Liam McCarthy, 1 run.Angling in, outside off, on a length. Lorcan Tucker looks to block it but gets an inside edge. The ball rolls towards fine leg as the batters collect a single.

Nathan Smith to Liam McCarthy, Wide!Wide! A wayward bouncer, outside off, Liam McCarthy leaves. Wide called for height.

Lorcan Tucker departs for 50. Liam McCarthy is the new batter.

Nathan Smith to Lorcan Tucker, OUT! c Daryl Mitchell b Nathan Smith.OUT! TAKEN! Ireland lose their seventh wicket and the experienced batter has to walk back to the dugout. Short of a length, just outside off, Lorcan Tucker looks to pull it but gets a top edge as the ball climbs big on him. The ball flies behind the stumps, where Daryl Mitchell from the first slip has to track back and takes a well-judged catch. Ireland trail by 141 runs.

Zakary Foulkes to Mark Adair, No run.Hard length, on middle, angling in. Mark Adair makes room and blocks it to point.

Zakary Foulkes to Mark Adair, No run.Zakary Foulkes bangs it short, on middle and leg, Mark Adair ducks under it.

Zakary Foulkes to Lorcan Tucker, 1 run.FIFTY FOR TUCKER! In the first inning, Lorcan Tucker had to depart without even opening his account, but he makes a comeback now and surpasses the 50-run mark for the fifth time in test cricket. This is on a good length, around the hips of the batter. Lorcan Tucker flicks it swiftly toward square leg and gets a single.

Zakary Foulkes to Lorcan Tucker, No run.On a length, on off, Lorcan Tucker rests it down.

Zakary Foulkes to Lorcan Tucker, No run.Beaten! Back of a length, just outside off, nipping it a shade away. Lorcan Tucker opts to defend it on his back foot, but it just whizzles past the outside edge.

Zakary Foulkes to Lorcan Tucker, Four!FOUR! With that boundary, Tucker moves to 49! Good-length delivery, outside off, Lorcan Tucker punches it while opening the face of the bat, between gully and backward point for four runs.

Nathan Smith to Mark Adair, No run.Short of a length to end the over, on middle. Mark Adair ducks and leaves it away.

Nathan Smith to Mark Adair, No run.A bit fuller than the previous delivery, around off, Mark Adair pats it to cover.

Nathan Smith to Mark Adair, No run.On a good length, angling in, just outside off. Mark Adair dabs it back to the bowler.

Nathan Smith to Mark Adair, Four!FOUR! Nicely played! Full-length delivery, outside off. Mark Adair gets on his front foot and drives it gently through cover for the boundary.

Nathan Smith to Lorcan Tucker, 1 run.On a length, on off, Lorcan Tucker nudges it to the right of mid-wicket and gets a single.

Nathan Smith to Lorcan Tucker, No run.Nathan Smith joins the attack for the first time after the Lunch break. Bumper straight away, on middle, Lorcan Tucker comes down the track, but leans away to let it travel to the keeper.

Zakary Foulkes to Mark Adair, No run.Back of a length outside off. Mark Adair goes for a swing to punch it over the cover region, but fails to get the connection.

Zakary Foulkes to Mark Adair, No run.Bouncer, slanting in, around off. Mark Adair ducks once again.

Zakary Foulkes to Mark Adair, No run.Short, on middle, Mark Adair squats under the delivery.

Zakary Foulkes to Mark Adair, Four!FOUR! Good shot! A tad fuller in length, wide outside off, Mark Adair leans toward the delivery, planting his front foot halfway toward the pitched delivery and opening the face of the bat before offering the drive at it. The ball dribbles toward the deep cover fence for four runs.

Zakary Foulkes to Mark Adair, No run.Oh, Zakary Foulkes is still having a good swing. Pitching it on a good length, just outside off and nips in sharply. Mark Adair looks to flick it away, but it gets past the inside edge and thumps the pad.

Zakary Foulkes to Mark Adair, No run.Back of a length, on off, Mark Adair gets behind the line and defends it back to the bowler.

Ben Sears to Lorcan Tucker, No run.Bouncer, on off, Lorcan Tucker sways away and makes a leave.

Ben Sears to Lorcan Tucker, Four!FOUR! That has been cracked away for a boundary. Back of a length, outside off. Lorcan Tucker throws the kitchen sink at it and cuts it toward the left of the deep point fielder for four runs.

Ben Sears to Lorcan Tucker, No run.Fuller in length, on middle, Lorcan Tucker nudges it to mid on.

Ben Sears to Lorcan Tucker, No run.Pitches it on the back of a good length, outside off, shaping in a shade. Lorcan Tucker lunges and shoulders at it.

Ben Sears to Lorcan Tucker, No run.On a hard length, just outside off, Lorcan Tucker initially looks to block it, but changes his mind and lets it through.

Ben Sears to Lorcan Tucker, No run.Full, on off, Lorcan Tucker pushes it to mid on.

Zakary Foulkes to Lorcan Tucker, 1 run.Short, on off and middle, Lorcan Tucker pulls it down to deep square leg and gets a single. Tucker is into the 40s now!

Zakary Foulkes to Mark Adair, Leg bye.Good-length delivery, slanting in, around the pads of the batter. Mark Adair misses to work it to the leg side and gets pinged on his pad, before the ball rolls to fine leg. Single taken.

Zakary Foulkes to Mark Adair, No run.Back of a length, outside off, Mark Adair pushes it to point.

Zakary Foulkes to Mark Adair, No run.Sharp bouncer, on off and middle, Mark Adair ducks under it.