'It is tough, tough cricket, it exposes any weaknesses you have'

Ireland captain Andrew Balbirnie is hoping to draw long-term benefits from a bruising loss to New Zealand across the teams’ landmark first-ever Test meeting.

Victory by an innings and 79 runs in Belfast provided New Zealand a perfect warm-up before facing England from next week.

placeholder image — A welcome moment of celebration for Ireland during defeat by New Zealand at Stormont across the first-ever Test match between the sides. (Photo by Niall Carson/PA Wire)

For Balbirnie and Ireland, it’s time to reflect on the opportunity for lessons off the short-term pain game of the one-off Test wrapped up on day three at Stormont.

“Plenty of positives...but for us to be successful at this level we need to play as much first-class cricket as we can,” said Balbirnie on BBC Sport NI following the milestone fixture. “Everyone is desperate to get better.”

He added: "It is tough, tough cricket, it exposes any weaknesses you have.

"And I think that scoreline reflects the game."

Balbirnie celebrated Test first steps taken by Reuben Wilson, Tom Mayes and Liam McCarthy across encouraging debuts against New Zealand.

"It was great to get a few guys debuts and Test experience,” he said. “But, ultimately, we weren't at the levels they were at.

“The guys who got their debuts looked pretty good at that level.

"Reuben Wilson, his first Ireland cap at 19, I think he has a huge future in the game.

"Certainly guys getting runs (was a positive too) - Andrew McBrine, Lorcan Tucker...Stephen Doheny, in only his second Test.

“They were definitely the better team, there is no hiding away from the fact.

"We had little chances in the game, especially in the first morning when we could have capitalised a bit better.

"But we didn't and a team like that will punish you and they did.

"I thought the new bowl bowling yesterday (Thursday) was as good as we've faced in the Test match arena.”

Ireland next tackle a late June meeting back at Stormont against India across two T20 internationals.

Tom Latham, the tourists’ captain, described the meeting as “a great Test match” with focus now on England from June 4.

IRELAND: Andrew Balbirnie, Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, Cade Carmichael, Stephen Doheny, Jake Egan, Matthew Humphreys, Tom Mayes, Andrew McBrine, Liam McCarthy, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Reuben Wilson, Craig Young.