New Zealand secured a comfortable victory over Ireland in their one-off Test at Stormont, completing an innings and 79-run win on day three to finish the match with a day to spare. Ireland began the third day on 65-2 in their second innings, still trailing by 247 runs after New Zealand had declared on 490-8 and enforced the follow-on. Despite some resistance, Ireland were unable to reduce the deficit enough to make the visitors bat again, ending on 232-9 from 63.2 overs.
The result was built on a dominant all-round performance from New Zealand, who controlled the match from the first innings onward. Ireland were dismissed for 179 in their opening innings, leaving them under pressure immediately. In reply, New Zealand piled up a commanding total of 490-8 declared, driven by an outstanding 186 from wicketkeeper-batter Tom Blundell and a near-century from Foxcroft, who made 98. That first-innings lead proved decisive, allowing the Black Caps to dictate the pace of the game.
On day three, Ireland’s hopes of batting long enough to push the match into a fourth day quickly faded. New Zealand’s seam attack kept the pressure on in overcast Belfast conditions, with Blair Tickner emerging as the standout performer. Tickner claimed his first five-wicket haul in Test cricket, finishing with figures of 5-76 in the match-clinching innings. Nathan Smith also played a major role, continuing his strong match by collecting his eighth wicket of the Test as Ireland’s middle and lower order struggled to build partnerships.
Stephen Doheny offered one of Ireland’s brighter moments, reaching his maiden Test half-century with 57 before falling shortly before lunch. Lorcan Tucker also made a valuable 50, recording his fifth Test half-century, but Ireland repeatedly lost wickets at key moments and could never establish lasting momentum. Curtis Campher’s retirement hurt because of a hand injury further weakened Ireland’s resistance, while a rain interruption briefly disrupted the morning session.
Mark Adair and Liam McCarthy added some late runs as Ireland tried to improve on their first-innings total, but the innings ended in frustrating fashion when McCarthy was run out for 11 after a risky sprint for a single. Shortly afterwards, Tickner removed Reuben Wilson to seal the result and end the match before tea.
The win will give New Zealand confidence ahead of their three-Test series against England next month. Ireland, meanwhile, will return to action in June when they host India in two Twenty20 internationals at Stormont.
