Starting the day at 61-2, and with a 250-run deficit still to overcome on, Ireland Men fought hard but eventually fell to an innings defeat against an efficient Blackcaps side.
Opener Stephen Doheny started sprightly, moving on from 36* overnight to register his first Test half-century, but the loss of nightwatcher Tom Mayes (5) and Harry Tector (2) in the first hour of play on the third day put Ireland firmly on the back foot.
In an extremely unfortunate moment, Curtis Campher fended off a ball that jumped off a length. The ball struck him clean on the hand, with Campher’s immediate reaction telling as he threw the bat away and ripped his glove off. Scans later would show he had broken a bone in his hand.
Doheny eventually found some support from Lorcan Tucker and the pair settled in for 7 overs in an effort to stabilise the innings. However, on 57, Doheny was forced to defend away a steepling ball from Blair Tickner which flew to a diving gully.
Tucker, and the ever-reliable Andy McBrine, then came together to put on 44 for the 6th wicket. Tucker brought up his 5th Test half-century off 69 balls and looked increasingly comfortable – but just moments after reaching 50 he was late on a pull shot and skied the ball to be caught by a backpedalling Daryl Mitchell at first slip.
Mark Adair doubled up with the bat – with a 40 in the first innings, the Lisburn and Northern Knights all-rounder struck 44* off 47 balls in a rearguard counter-attack that included 7 fours and a range of inventive shots to all parts of the ground.
Liam McCarthy (11) and Reuben Wilson (4) came and went – and without Campher able to return to bat – the match was over.
MATCH SUMMARY
Ireland Men v New Zealand Men, Test Match, Belfast, 27-29 May 2026
New Zealand 490-8d (119 overs; T Blundell 186, R Ravindra 121, D Foxcroft 98; M Adair 3-66)
Ireland 179 (33 overs; A McBrine 73*, M Adair 40; N Smith 6-40)
Ireland 232 (63.2 overs; S Doheny 57, L Tucker 50, M Adair 44*; B Tickner 5-76)
New Zealand won by an innings and 79 runs
