1
4
2
0
0
0
= 7
Match Details
IRE vs NZ, 0th TEST, NZ vs IRE 2026 live
Day 1-Session 3
NZ
361-594.0
Stumps
CRR : 3.84
IRE opt to Bowl
IRE opt to Bowl
+
P'ship : 58(101)
Commentary
All
Highlights
Overs
W
6s
4s
Inn 1
Inn 2
Inn 3
Inn 4
Milestone
That's it from our coverage of the opening day in the historic first ever Test between Ireland and New Zealand from Stormont! Ninaad Dixit here signing off on behalf of my co-commentator Dev Rajawat, scorer Rajesh Pal and statistician Aman. Stay tuned for more action from around the world.
Rachin Ravindra (New Zealand): (On scoring a Test century in Ireland) "Thank you. It was great to be out there. It was my first time playing in Ireland, so it was really nice to soak in the atmosphere, the crowd, and the occasion. It was an awesome day here in Belfast.
(On the partnership with Tom Blundell after New Zealand were under pressure) Credit goes to Ireland because they bowled fantastically well against us. At one stage, we were 4 for 86, and they really put us under pressure by bowling great areas and using the surface well. It was nice to build a partnership with my good mate Blundell. We recognised how well they were bowling, so we knew we had to spend some time at the crease and play carefully while the ball was swinging around. At the start, it was slow going, but later we managed to score a bit more freely.
(On Tom Blundell’s aggressive approach against the spinners) I’m not sure if it was a completely conscious plan, but I think he realised the ball wasn’t turning too much and decided to take advantage of that. Especially after the pressure Ireland created earlier, he counterattacked brilliantly. That’s Test cricket - the momentum keeps shifting, and when opportunities come, you have to make use of them. He played superbly today.
(On New Zealand’s position at the end of Day 1) We’re very happy with where we are, but at the same time, we don’t want to get complacent or look too far ahead. Their debut bowler bowled really well, and Blundell continued his excellent form too. We know it’s still a four-day Test match and things can change quickly in this format. Ireland also finished the day strongly, so there’s still a lot of cricket left in the game.
(On the historic occasion of Ireland hosting Test cricket) It was awesome to be part of a historic occasion like this. These are the moments you want to play in and remember. The crowd reception was fantastic, and you could really feel how much people here love cricket. Playing against a quality Irish side with very good bowlers made the occasion even more special. Overall, it was an amazing day here in Belfast."
(On the partnership with Tom Blundell after New Zealand were under pressure) Credit goes to Ireland because they bowled fantastically well against us. At one stage, we were 4 for 86, and they really put us under pressure by bowling great areas and using the surface well. It was nice to build a partnership with my good mate Blundell. We recognised how well they were bowling, so we knew we had to spend some time at the crease and play carefully while the ball was swinging around. At the start, it was slow going, but later we managed to score a bit more freely.
(On Tom Blundell’s aggressive approach against the spinners) I’m not sure if it was a completely conscious plan, but I think he realised the ball wasn’t turning too much and decided to take advantage of that. Especially after the pressure Ireland created earlier, he counterattacked brilliantly. That’s Test cricket - the momentum keeps shifting, and when opportunities come, you have to make use of them. He played superbly today.
(On New Zealand’s position at the end of Day 1) We’re very happy with where we are, but at the same time, we don’t want to get complacent or look too far ahead. Their debut bowler bowled really well, and Blundell continued his excellent form too. We know it’s still a four-day Test match and things can change quickly in this format. Ireland also finished the day strongly, so there’s still a lot of cricket left in the game.
(On the historic occasion of Ireland hosting Test cricket) It was awesome to be part of a historic occasion like this. These are the moments you want to play in and remember. The crowd reception was fantastic, and you could really feel how much people here love cricket. Playing against a quality Irish side with very good bowlers made the occasion even more special. Overall, it was an amazing day here in Belfast."
SESSION BREAKDOWN:
Session 1: 104/4 (31 overs)
Session 2: 110/0 (27 overs)
Session 3: 147/1 (36 overs)
Session 1: 104/4 (31 overs)
Session 2: 110/0 (27 overs)
Session 3: 147/1 (36 overs)
Most 100s for New Zealand as a Wicket-Keeper in Tests:
7 — BJ Watling
5 — Brendon McCullum, Tom Blundell*
2 — Adam Parore, Ian Smith
7 — BJ Watling
5 — Brendon McCullum, Tom Blundell*
2 — Adam Parore, Ian Smith
Highest 5th Wicket Partnerships for New Zealand in Tests:
236 – Tom Blundell & Daryl Mitchell vs England, Nottingham, 2022
222 – Nathan Astle & Craig McMillan vs Zimbabwe, Wellington, 2000
217 – Tom Blundell & Rachin Ravindra vs Ireland, Belfast, 2026, This Innings*
212 – Henry Nicholls & Kane Williamson vs Pakistan, Abu Dhabi, 2018
236 – Tom Blundell & Daryl Mitchell vs England, Nottingham, 2022
222 – Nathan Astle & Craig McMillan vs Zimbabwe, Wellington, 2000
217 – Tom Blundell & Rachin Ravindra vs Ireland, Belfast, 2026, This Innings*
212 – Henry Nicholls & Kane Williamson vs Pakistan, Abu Dhabi, 2018
11:31 PM IST, 7:01 PM Local Time: Stumps on day 1! A fantastic opening day in the only Test match between Ireland and New Zealand thanks to solid tons from Tom Blundell (142* off 233) and Rachin Ravindra (121 off 194) as the duo help New Zealand post 361/5 in the 94 overs that were possible on the day.
Ireland won the toss and decided to bowl first. Mark Adair started off in beautiful fashion dismissing Tom Latham for a duck on the 2nd ball of the match. Devon Conway started off with a beautiful straight drive but that was the only scoring shot from the southpaw as Adair had him caught in the leg side, debutant Liam McCarthy diving full stretched at midwicket to take it.
McCarthy's first taste of Test cricket was even more fruitful as he trapped the legendary Kane Williamson in front of the stumps for 36 after he added 64 runs for the 3rd wicket with Rachin Ravindra. Daryl Mitchell was caught for just 1 with Mark Adair claiming his 3rd wicket pushing NZ down to 86/4.
Ravindra then played a commanding knock and got a life on 56 as skipper Andrew Balbirnie put down a chance at second slip. Tom Blundell at number 6 joined the southpaw for company in a massive 217-run stand that took the game away from Ireland, who failed to pick up a single wicket in the afternoon session.
It was part time off spinner Harry Tector who sent Ravindra back for 121 in the evening session. The southpaw hitting 11 fours and 4 sixes to bring up his 6th Test ton. Blundell remained unbeaten on 142 in 233 balls with 18 fours and 2 sixes to his name, Dean Foxcroft on his Test debut still on the crease with 38 in 53 balls.
Mark Adair the pick of the bowlers so far with 3/66, Thomas Mayes on debut bowled 8 maidens but couldn't pick up a wicket, Liam McCarthy and Harry Tector share 2 wickets between them.
Ireland won the toss and decided to bowl first. Mark Adair started off in beautiful fashion dismissing Tom Latham for a duck on the 2nd ball of the match. Devon Conway started off with a beautiful straight drive but that was the only scoring shot from the southpaw as Adair had him caught in the leg side, debutant Liam McCarthy diving full stretched at midwicket to take it.
McCarthy's first taste of Test cricket was even more fruitful as he trapped the legendary Kane Williamson in front of the stumps for 36 after he added 64 runs for the 3rd wicket with Rachin Ravindra. Daryl Mitchell was caught for just 1 with Mark Adair claiming his 3rd wicket pushing NZ down to 86/4.
Ravindra then played a commanding knock and got a life on 56 as skipper Andrew Balbirnie put down a chance at second slip. Tom Blundell at number 6 joined the southpaw for company in a massive 217-run stand that took the game away from Ireland, who failed to pick up a single wicket in the afternoon session.
It was part time off spinner Harry Tector who sent Ravindra back for 121 in the evening session. The southpaw hitting 11 fours and 4 sixes to bring up his 6th Test ton. Blundell remained unbeaten on 142 in 233 balls with 18 fours and 2 sixes to his name, Dean Foxcroft on his Test debut still on the crease with 38 in 53 balls.
Mark Adair the pick of the bowlers so far with 3/66, Thomas Mayes on debut bowled 8 maidens but couldn't pick up a wicket, Liam McCarthy and Harry Tector share 2 wickets between them.
OVER 94
New Zealand
361/5
Dean Foxcroft
38(53)
Tom Blundell
142(233)
Liam McCarthy
1-96(20.0)
93.6 Liam McCarthy to Dean Foxcroft
0 Good length and outside off. Dean rides the bounce and taps it down to cover point. THAT WILL BE STUMPS ON DAY 1!!!
93.5 Liam McCarthy to Tom Blundell
1 Back of a length and outside off, punched it down to deep point for one.
Commentary