Ireland face fight as New Zealand take early Stormont control in landmark Test
Ireland face an uphill battle in their first home Test for nearly two years after Rachin Ravindra and Tom Blundell compiled centuries to put New Zealand in the driving seat on day one.
The Black Caps’ red ball warm-up ahead of their series opener against England at Lord’s on June 4 saw the first day in Belfast close on 361 for five.
Ravindra struck 121 while Blundell amassed 142 not out as the middle order steadied the ship after openers Tom Latham and Devon Conway were removed cheaply and the tourists crumbled to 86 for four.
Mark Adair took the openers’ wickets and finished the day as Ireland’s most effective bowler with figures of three for 66, while Liam McCarthy produced a costly one for 96.
It is the first time Ireland and New Zealand have met in a Test, which is scheduled to last four days.
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