Ireland are preparing for a rare home Test against New Zealand in Belfast, with both teams arriving short on red-ball cricket but carrying very different levels of Test experience. For Ireland, this is only their fourth Test since the start of 2025 and their first at home in almost two years, a reflection of how little red-ball cricket now exists in their domestic system. They have no further Tests scheduled this summer, and with Irish players no longer featuring heavily in the County Championship and little first-class cricket available below international level, finding match rhythm has become a major challenge.
A recent four-day warm-up fixture at Malahide provided some preparation, though it came with a setback when senior opener Paul Stirling was injured. The match still gave Ireland’s seamers useful overs, with Mark Adair taking 4 for 71 and 2 for 9, while Lorcan Tucker, Andy McBrine and Curtis Campher all scored half-centuries. Jake Egan, born in Australia, made a century on first-class debut and could be in line for a Test debut if Stirling is unavailable.
New Zealand also come into the match with limited recent Test action, but their situation is different. They have a stronger first-class structure, a deeper pool of Test-experienced players, and a side accustomed to longer-format demands. Although they have played only five Tests in the past 18 months, they are using this tour as part of their build-up to a more significant series against England. Unlike New Zealand, Ireland are not part of the World Test Championship, so there are no points at stake.
Form suggests New Zealand hold the advantage, with a WWDWW record compared with Ireland’s LLWWW, though Ireland’s last win came in February 2025 against Zimbabwe. The key batter for Ireland is Lorcan Tucker, whose Test average of 43.93 makes him their most reliable performer in the format. He has already produced a century in Bangladesh and four fifties, and his 62 in the warm-up match suggests he remains in decent touch. New Zealand will again look to captain Tom Latham, whose leadership record has strengthened since 2024. He has guided the side to six wins in eight matches since taking over more permanently, including a notable series win in India.
Conditions in Belfast may be less bowler-friendly than usual. May often brings seam movement and assistance for quicks, but unusually warm weather has raised the chance of a flatter pitch and more scoring opportunities, with spin also potentially playing a larger role. Ireland are considering changes at the top of the order to cover Stirling’s absence, with Stephen Doheny the likeliest replacement. Liam McCarthy and Reuben Wilson could also make debuts if selected. New Zealand may hand a first Test cap to Dean Foxcroft, while their pace attack could feature Kyle Jamieson, Will O’Rourke and Ben Sears in a fast and exciting seam unit.
