New Zealand crushed Ireland by an innings and 79 runs in the one-off Test in Belfast. After being asked to bat first, New Zealand declared their first innings at 490/8. Tom Blundell played a superb knock of 186 runs, while Rachin Ravindra scored 121. Dean Foxcroft narrowly missed out on a century, falling for 98. Mark Adair (3/66 in 20 overs) was the most successful bowler for Ireland.
In reply, Ireland's first innings was dismantled by Nathan Smith (6/40 in 14 overs) and Ben Sears (2/27 in 8 overs). Andy McBrine (73*) and Mark Adair (40) offered some resistance and added 116 runs for the seventh wicket. However, once Nathan Smith dismissed Adair in the 39th over, the rest of the innings folded quickly. McBrine remained unbeaten as Ireland were bowled out and forced to follow on.
In the second innings, Stephen Doheny and Lorcan Tucker both scored half-centuries, while Mark Adair added a late counterattacking cameo. However, it only delayed the inevitable as Ireland suffered a heavy defeat by an innings and 79 runs.
Ireland began the third day at 65/2, still trailing by 246 runs after being asked to follow on. Despite showing brief resistance, they were eventually bowled out for 232, handing New Zealand a comfortable victory.
Blair Tickner (5/76 in 17.2 overs) played a decisive role for New Zealand, claiming his maiden five-wicket haul in Test cricket and accelerating his team's march to victory. Nathan Smith also chipped in with two wickets in the second innings.
Early pressure and difficult conditions
The morning in Belfast brought cooler weather, with temperatures dropping below 20°C after a recent heatwave. Rain interrupted play and forced an early end to the first session. By that time, Ireland were already under pressure at 131 for 5.
New Zealand’s attack kept control from the start. Nathan Smith, who had already taken six wickets in the first innings, struck early again. He removed nightwatchman Thomas Mayes within the first few overs, getting him to edge a full inswinger to second slip.
At the other end, Stephen Doheny looked more settled. He started the day on 26 and showed good footwork while handling the early swing.
Short-ball strategy causes damage
Both Smith and Tickner used a clear short-ball plan. They repeatedly targeted the batters with bouncers and hard lengths.
This tactic worked well. Tickner picked up his third wicket when Harry Tector misjudged a bouncer aimed at his upper body. The ball hit his bat handle and flew to second slip.
Ireland suffered another setback when Curtis Campher was forced to retire hurt on 4. A rising short ball struck his left hand, and he had to leave the field for scans. This left Ireland one batter short for the rest of the innings.
Soon after, Doheny became the third batter to fall to the short-ball plan. He fended at a sharp delivery from Tickner and edged it to gully just before the lunch break.
Tucker resists before New Zealand take control
After the break, conditions improved slightly. The clouds cleared, and the Dukes ball stopped swinging as much. New Zealand adjusted by spreading fielders on the off side.
Lorcan Tucker took advantage of the change. He played positive shots outside off stump and handled the short balls with control. He reached his half-century off 69 balls and briefly raised hopes of resistance.
However, his innings ended immediately after reaching fifty. He attempted a cross-batted shot against another bouncer but mistimed it, and the ball went gently over the keeper to Daryl Mitchell.
Adair’s late fight
Batting at No. 9, Mark Adair added energy to Ireland’s innings. He used smart footwork, often moving across to the leg side to free his arms against the short balls.
He targeted the vacant midwicket boundary and scored freely for a period. But New Zealand adjusted again, mixing yorkers and angled bouncers into his pads to slow him down.
Even so, Adair finished unbeaten on 44 from 47 balls, playing the fastest innings of Ireland’s match.
Tickner seals the victory
The final wicket fell when Reuben Wilson attempted a loose shot outside off stump and edged it to the wicketkeeper. With that dismissal, Tickner completed his five-wicket haul.
New Zealand Cricket Team wrapped up a dominant innings victory with four sessions to spare.