आयरलैंड vs न्यूजीलैंड, एकमात्र टेस्ट मैच, सिविल सर्विस क्रिकेट क्लब, स्टोर्मोंट, बेलफास्ट, 27 May 2026 - कमेंट्री

Short, on middle, Mark Adair pulls it on the bounce towards deep mid-wicket. He decides to take a single again on the first ball of the over.

OUT! TAKEN! There it is. A five-wicket haul for Blair Tickner. Angling in, on a length, on off. Reuben Wilson stays back in his crease and looks to block it. The ball shapes away a touch and kisses the outside edge of Reuben Wilson's blade. It carries towards Daryl Mitchell at second slip, who dives to his left and takes a comfortable catch. New Zealand beat Ireland by an innings and 79 runs as Curtis Campher won't be taking part in this match. A dominant victory for the Kiwis.

Slightly shorter, outside off, Mark Adair makes room and looks to slap it but misses.

Bangs it short, on leg, Mark Adair shuffles across and looks to slap it but misses.

A slower bouncer, outside off, Mark Adair knocks it down to long off for a single.

Good length, shaping in, on middle. Reuben Wilson covers his line and blocks it back to the bowler.

Back of a length, outside off, Reuben Wilson stays back and dabs it to the gully fielder.

Reuben Wilson survives yet again. Hard length, outside off, holds the line. Wilson reads it well and leaves it alone.

Back of a length, down leg, following the batter. Mark Adair shuffles across and guides it to third man for a single. Strange decision as he leaves Reuben Wilson to survive for the remaining five balls.

Slows it up, outside off, Reuben Wilson blocks it to point.

FOUR! Reuben Wilson has his first runs in Test cricket, but in a streaky manner. Hard length, outside off, Reuben Wilson throws a kitchen sink at it. Gets an outside edge as the ball flies over the slip cordon for a boundary.

Back of a length, just outside off, and it keeps low. Reuben Wilson looks to block it, but gets beaten. The ball just misses the off pole. The keeper fails to stop it as the batters collect a bye.

Short and wide, slower too. Mark Adair leaves it alone.

Angling in, on a length, on off. Mark Adair punches it through point for a single.

A slower bouncer, outside off, Reuben Wilson shoulders arms at it.

That just missed the off pole! Hard length, outside off, Reuben Wilson puts his bat to it but gets a bottom edge. The ball bounces past the off pole and goes towards the keeper.

Angling in, on a length, on off. Reuben Wilson blocks it back to the bowler.

Reuben Wilson survives another ball. Good length, just outside off, Reuben Wilson covers his line and blocks it to the point fielder.

Ben Sears bangs it short, on off, Reuben Wilson sways away from it.

Wilson survives! Good length, just outside off, Reuben Wilson has a waft at it but gets beaten.

A juicy full toss, just angling down leg. Adair backs away early and is just taken aback by the length of the ball as he swings through thin air.

FOUR! Pumped down the ground and the Kiwi lead has now been cut to under 100 runs, currently standing at 98. Overpitched delivery on middle, Mark Adair makes room and laces it wide of long off for a boundary.

FOUR BYES! That's a wild one from Tickner and Ireland are still in with a chance to avoid an innings defeat. Too short and angling in. Adair backs away and misses and the ball sailsover the keeper, into the fine leg fence.

FOUR! The Kiwis are hemorrhaging runs at the moment. Another short ball, and again Adair backs away, clubbing it down towards long on for another boundary.

Tickner goes around the wicket and darts it well across off. Adair ducks under it.

OUT! LIAM McCARTHY IS RUN OUT! There's chaos out in the middle and an untimely slip hands the Kiwis their 8th wicket. Blair Tickner stays around the wicket, bangs it halfway down the pitch and over off stump. Mark Adair goes after it and slaps it high up over covers, no timing on it, though. The batters complete two runs with ease as Devon Conway chases it down. But Adair wants the strike and they look for the third. Adair realizes it isn't there and McCarthy also turns back but slips just before making his ground. Conway throws the ball to the keeper and Tickner whips off the bails. It is given out onfield.

Pitched up full and just outside off, Adair looks for the expansive drive but gets beaten past the inside edge. It is given as a No Ball for overstepping.

Nowhere near the middle of the bat. Full and attacking the stumps, Mark Adair hangs back and gives it an all-mighty hoick. Mistimes it over mid on and picks up two runs.

An attempted bumper, around off, and this one stays low. Adair ducks under it.

Short of a length, angled back into the batter. Adair tries to back away and go over the off side but is beaten fopr pace and bounce.

Another short ball, just outside off, seams away as well whilst staying low. Adair ducks under it and, once again, Nathan Smith has overstepped. NO BALL!

FOUR! Wow, that's a shot! Good length, attacking off and middle. Mark Adair backs away early and smacks it through the huge gap at covers for a boundary.

A rare fumble from the keeper. Short of a length, darts back in with some extra bounce. Adair makes room but is beaten and Tom Blundell fails to collect it clenaly to his left. The batters get a bye.

Back of a length, just outside off and pushed into the left-hander. However, the ball straightens after pitching and Liam McCarthy does well to hop back and play inside the line. Ireland now trail by 102 runs.

FOUR! The field was set for the short-ball ploy and Mark Adair just takes it on. Banged in short over middle, Adair backs away and drags the hook shot up and over backward square leg for a boundary. Ireland trail by 119 runs now.

Shorter in length again, over the stumps, Mark makes room to wallop it away but misses.

Much fuller, on a good length and over middle. Adair sets up to pull but gets an inside edge onto the pads. Also, Blair Tickner has overstepped here and a No Ball is called.

Good work in the deep. Tickner comes around the wicket and darts a shortish ball well across off. Adair reaches out and slashes it to the left of Ben Sears at deep backward point for a couple of runs.

FOUR! The short-stuff isn't quite working out for Tickner and New Zealand right now. Dug in short over middle and leg, Adair puts a lot of force and slaps the pull wide of long on for another boundary. He's scored plenty of handy runs in this Test match for Ireland.

Dug in even shorter, over middle, Mark Adair has to reach high up and he flat-bats it wide of deep mid-wicket for one. 200 UP FOR IRELAND.

Good-length delivery, darted back in from outside off. McCarthy gets pegged back and wears it high on the pads.

Adair had no idea where that went. Good length, in the channel, Adair looks to cut but gets an inside edge down to fine leg for a single. Ireland now trail by 127 runs.

FOUR! Another good-looking shot from Liam McCarthy. Full and outside off, bowled from around the wicket. McCarthy leans ahead and punches it uppishly, but through the gap at covers and the ball rolls away into the fence.

Well bowled! Smith pulls the length back a bit and gets the ball to shape away from the fourth-stump line. McCarthy plays inside the line.

Full-pitched delivery outside off, McCarthy punches it into the deck and Smith springs to his right in the followthrough to make a good stop.

Fullish length, slanted in towards middle stump. McCarthy shows the full face of the bat and blocks it off.

A bumper to end the over, five runs off it. Dug in well short over off and middle, McCarthy ducks under it with ease.

Pitches it up, does Zakary Foulkes, outside off, Liam McCarthy neatly drives it between the cover and point fielders and gets a couple of runs.

Beautiful delivery from Foulkes! He bowls it fuller yet again, outside off, but swings it away from the batter. Liam McCarthy looks to offer a drive at it, but it zips past the outside edge.

Back of a length, outside off, Liam McCarthy lets it travel to the keeper.

FOUR! Excellent shot! Foulkes once again pushes his length fuller, outside off. Liam McCarthy brings out his front foot to get near the delivery and presents the full face of the bat to drive it toward the left of Blair Tickner in the short cover region for four runs. 

Pitches it on a good length, outside off, left alone by Liam McCarthy.

Another good-length delivery, outside off, Liam McCarthy doesn't offer any shot at it.

OUT! TAKEN! Ireland lose their seventh wicket and the experienced batter has to walk back to the dugout. Short of a length, just outside off, Lorcan Tucker looks to pull it but gets a top edge as the ball climbs big on him. The ball flies behind the stumps, where Daryl Mitchell from the first slip has to track back and takes a well-judged catch. Ireland trail by 141 runs.

Wide! A wayward bouncer, outside off, Liam McCarthy leaves. Wide called for height.

Angling in, outside off, on a length. Lorcan Tucker looks to block it but gets an inside edge. The ball rolls towards fine leg as the batters collect a single.

Fuller in length, around off, Mark Adair pushes it into the gap between backward point and cover and picks up a double.

Back of a length, around the hips of the batter. Mark Adair clips it with soft hands to mid-wicket and gets another brace.

Bumper, on middle, Mark Adair detects the bouncer and ducks under it.

NO BALL! The umpire has already given two bouncer warnings and now, with the third short delivery, which is going over the batter, the umpire has called it a No Ball. Mark Adair leaves it alone and gets a bonus run for the team.

On a length, outside off, Mark Adair blocks it to point.

FOUR! With that boundary, Tucker moves to 49! Good-length delivery, outside off, Lorcan Tucker punches it while opening the face of the bat, between gully and backward point for four runs.

Beaten! Back of a length, just outside off, nipping it a shade away. Lorcan Tucker opts to defend it on his back foot, but it just whizzles past the outside edge.

On a length, on off, Lorcan Tucker rests it down.

FIFTY FOR TUCKER! In the first inning, Lorcan Tucker had to depart without even opening his account, but he makes a comeback now and surpasses the 50-run mark for the fifth time in test cricket. This is on a good length, around the hips of the batter. Lorcan Tucker flicks it swiftly toward square leg and gets a single.

Zakary Foulkes bangs it short, on middle and leg, Mark Adair ducks under it.

Hard length, on middle, angling in. Mark Adair makes room and blocks it to point.

Nathan Smith joins the attack for the first time after the Lunch break. Bumper straight away, on middle, Lorcan Tucker comes down the track, but leans away to let it travel to the keeper.

On a length, on off, Lorcan Tucker nudges it to the right of mid-wicket and gets a single. 

FOUR! Nicely played! Full-length delivery, outside off. Mark Adair gets on his front foot and drives it gently through cover for the boundary.

On a good length, angling in, just outside off. Mark Adair dabs it back to the bowler.

A bit fuller than the previous delivery, around off, Mark Adair pats it to cover.

Short of a length to end the over, on middle. Mark Adair ducks and leaves it away.

Back of a length, on off, Mark Adair gets behind the line and defends it back to the bowler.

Oh, Zakary Foulkes is still having a good swing. Pitching it on a good length, just outside off and nips in sharply. Mark Adair looks to flick it away, but it gets past the inside edge and thumps the pad.

FOUR! Good shot! A tad fuller in length, wide outside off, Mark Adair leans toward the delivery, planting his front foot halfway toward the pitched delivery and opening the face of the bat before offering the drive at it. The ball dribbles toward the deep cover fence for four runs.

Short, on middle, Mark Adair squats under the delivery.

Bouncer, slanting in, around off. Mark Adair ducks once again.

Back of a length outside off. Mark Adair goes for a swing to punch it over the cover region, but fails to get the connection.

Full, on off, Lorcan Tucker pushes it to mid on.

On a hard length, just outside off, Lorcan Tucker initially looks to block it, but changes his mind and lets it through.

Pitches it on the back of a good length, outside off, shaping in a shade. Lorcan Tucker lunges and shoulders at it.

Fuller in length, on middle, Lorcan Tucker nudges it to mid on.

FOUR! That has been cracked away for a boundary. Back of a length, outside off. Lorcan Tucker throws the kitchen sink at it and cuts it toward the left of the deep point fielder for four runs.

Bouncer, on off, Lorcan Tucker sways away and makes a leave.

Bangs a bouncer, on middle, Lorcan Tucker pulls it to deep square leg and gets a single.

OUT! CAUGHT! That's a brilliant catch from Nathan Smith. Zakary Foulkes serves a short and wide ball, there to be hit and Andy McBrine goes after it. He frees his arms and laces the cut but hits it uppishly. Smith at backward point, springs to his left and gobbles it up brilliantly. McBrine played really well in Ireland's first-innings, but he has to walk back after playing a loose shot here.

Sharp bouncer, on off and middle, Mark Adair ducks under it.

Back of a length, outside off, Mark Adair pushes it to point.

Good-length delivery, slanting in, around the pads of the batter. Mark Adair misses to work it to the leg side and gets pinged on his pad, before the ball rolls to fine leg. Single taken.

Short, on off and middle, Lorcan Tucker pulls it down to deep square leg and gets a single. Tucker is into the 40s now!

Much fuller, just outside off, Andy McBrine bends his back leg and drives it along the carpet to deep cover for an easy single.

Pitches it up, does Searns, on off, Lorcan Tucker pushes it opening the face of the bat to cover.

FOUR! Now that's a classy shot. Good-length delivery, wide outside off. Lorcan Tucker gets on his front foot and punches it well through the cover-point region for four more runs.

Back of a length, on middle, Lorcan Tucker works it to square leg for a single.

Back of a length, outside off, Andy McBrine just pushes it toward the right of deep point. The fielder chases from the deep cover region and rolls on his shoulder to field it. Double taken by the batters.

Short, angling down the leg side, Andy McBrine makes a leave at it.

Zakary Foulkes comes over the wicket and bowls on a good length, angling in, around middle. Lorcan Tucker looks to block it down, but gets beaten on the inside edge and wears on his pad.

Fuller, outside off, Lorcan Tucker dabs it to gully.

SIX! That's quite a shot from Lorcan Tucker! Zakary Foulkes bends his back and offers a bouncer, on middle. Lorcan Tucker seems ready for the short delivery as he transfers his weight on his back foot as soon as the bowler releases, swivels, and pulls it over the deep fine leg fence for half a dozen.

Good-length delivery, outside off, left alone by Lorcan Tucker.

Back of a length, angling down the leg side, Lorcan Tucker swings and misses.

Pitches it on a good length, angling in, around off, Lorcan Tucker shoulders at it.

Fuller in length, wide outside off, Andy McBrine pushes it from the inner part of his bat toward cover.

Sears bashes hard on the length, angling in, around middle. Andy McBrine hops a bit and tucks it low to the leg side.

FOUR! Not entirely from the middle of the bat, but McBrine will take those runs. On a hard length, outside off. Andy McBrine stays on his back foot and looks to punch it through cover, but gets the connection from the outer half of his bat, before the ball rolls away toward the deep bacward point fence for four runs.

Good-length delivery, around off, Andy McBrine blocks it out.

Swing and a miss! Pushes his length fuller, does Sears, outside off, asking the batter to give it a hit. Andy McBrine attempts to punch it away from his body, but misses the connection on the outside edge.

On a length, outside off, Andy McBrine defends it from his back foot.

Too full, on leg, Andy McBrine flicks it through mid-wicket for a single.

Zakary Foulkes starts with a length ball, on middle and leg, Lorcan Tucker looks to flick it but wears it on his pads. The ball rolls towards the fielder at square leg. Dot.

Nice and full, targeting the stumps, Lorcan Tucker blocks it to mid off.

An appeal but turned down. A yorker, sliding down leg, Lorcan Tucker looks to flick it but gets a blow on his shoes. A stifled appeal but nothing from the umpire.

Slows it up, outside off, Lorcan Tucker leaves it alone.

Back of a length, on off, Lorcan Tucker stays in his crease and blocks it to short cover.

Nice and full, on off, Lorcan Tucker blocks it solidly towards mid on.

A tad fuller, on off, Lorcan Tucker blocks it back to the bowler.

That one kept low! Hard length, outside off, and it keeps low. Lorcan Tucker looks to drive it but misses.

Nice and full, targeting the stumps, Lorcan Tucker blocks it back to the bowler.

Good length, angling in, on off. Lorcan Tucker covers is line and blocks it back to the bowler.

Short ball, outside off, Lorcan Tucker leaves it alone.

FOUR! Through the gap, and it races away to the fence! Full and straight, on off, Lorcan Tucker rides the bounce and steers it through point for a boundary.

Keeps it outside off, angling in. Lorcan Tucker reads it well and makes a tight leave.

A tad fuller, on middle, Lorcan Tucker blocks it back to the bowler.

Short, on leg, Lorcan Tucker looks to pull it but gets a bottom edge. The ball rolls to the left of the keeper. Dot.

Bangs it short, on leg, Lorcan Tucker tugs it through square leg for a single.

FOUR BYES! Bonus runs! A wayward bouncer, down the leg side, Andy McBrine leaves. The keeper dives but fails to stop it as the ball races away to the fence at fine leg.

Hard length, outside off, holds the line. Lorcan Tucker blocks it to the left of the bowler.

FOUR! That's a good shot from Lorcan Tucker! Good length, outside off, Lorcan Tucker opens the face of his bat and guides it through the slip cordon for a boundary.

Angling in, on a length, on off. Lorcan Tucker blocks it back to the bowler.

FOUR! That races away to the fence! Nathan Smith bangs it short, on middle and leg, Lorcan Tucker swivels and pulls it powerfully through backward square leg as the ball races away to the fence.

Short, on middle and leg, Lorcan Tucker pulls it through square leg for a single.

Angling in, on a length, on off. Andy McBrine blocks it back to the bowler.

Beaten! Length, just outside off, with a hint of away movement. Lorcan Tucker tries to block it but gets beaten.

A yorker, on middle, Lorcan Tucker gets his bat down in time and digs it through mid-wicket for a brace.

Bangs it short, on middle and leg, Lorcan Tucker pulls it through backward square leg for a single.

Slows it up, outside off, Andy McBrine leaves the harmless delivery.

FOUR! Lovely bit of timing from Andy McBrine! Overpitched from Blair Tickner, outside off. Andy McBrine offers the full face of his bat and times it perfectly through extra cover for a boundary.

Good length, outside off, Andy McBrine taps it to the point fielder.

Much fuller, sliding down leg, Andy McBrine looks to flick it but the ball hits his shoes and rolls towards short mid-wicket. Dot.

Daryl Mitchell keeps it full, on leg, Andy McBrine flicks it to the fielder at short mid-wicket.

Edged, safe! Hard length, and this one nips in sharply. Andy McBrine looks to block it but edges it to the fielder at backward point. Dot.

Much fuller, on off, Andy McBrine drives it to the fielder at cover.

Daryl Mitchell sways it down leg, Andy McBrine leaves it alone. Tom Blundell flies to his right and makes a magnificet one handed stop which could have been a boundary. Dot ball.

Angling in, on a length, on off. Andy McBrine blocks it watchfully.

FOUR! Hundred up for Ireland! Overpitched from Blair Tickner, on off, Lorcan Tucker takes a step forward and drives it straight down the ground for a boundary. The hosts still trail by 208 runs.

Past the edge! Hard length, outside off, shaping away. Lorcan Tucker swings hard but misses.

Bangs it short, on off, Lorcan Tucker pulls it through square leg for a single.

Keeps it full, on off, Stephen Doheny blocks it back to the bowler.

OUT! TAKEN! Excellent catch from Devon Conway. Blair Tickner bangs it short, on off, Stephen Doheny gets in two minds. He stands tall and looks to block it, but the snorter of a delivery hits the handle of his bat. It lobs in the air towards the gully region. Devon Conway runs forward, dives, and takes a magnificent catch just inches above the ground. Stephen Doheny makes his way back after a fine knock. Ireland trail by 207 runs now.

Hard length, on middle and leg, Andy McBrine turns it to square leg for a single.

Nice and full from Daryl Mitchell to start with, on off, Stephen Doheny stays back and blocks it to mid off.

Hard length, outside off, shaping away. Stephen Doheny leaves it alone.

Good length, outside off, holds the line. Stephen Doheny blocks it to short cover.

Slows it up, outside off, Stephen Doheny leaves it alone.

Daryl Mitchell goes full, on off, Stephen Doheny blocks it to short cover. Five dots from Daryl Mitchell.

Daryl Mitchell starts with a maiden. Full and straight, Stephen Doheny drives it to wide of mid off. Nathan Smith moves to his left and makes a good stop. Dot.

Back of a length, on middle and leg, Stephen Doheny tugs it to mid-wicket for a run.

Slows it up, outside off, Lorcan Tucker leaves it alone.

A tad fuller, on middle and leg, Lorcan Tucker flicks it to short mid-wicket.

Bangs it short, outside off, and it keeps low. Lorcan Tucker tries to pull it but misses on the bottom edge.

Angling in, on middle and leg, Lorcan Tucker looks to flick it but miscues it to cover.

FOUR! A rare boundary for Ireland! Bangs it short, on middle and leg, Lorcan Tucker stays in his crease, swivels, and pulls it through backward square leg for a boundary.

A tad fuller, on off, Lorcan Tucker taps it to the cover fielder.

Slows it up, outside off, and it keeps low. Lorcan Tucker leaves the harmless delivery.

Beaten! Hard length, just outside off, shaping away a touch. Lorcan Tucker tries to block it but gets beaten.

Good length, on off, holds the line. Lorcan Tucker covers his line and blocks it to mid-wicket.

Ben Sears keeps it outside off, Lorcan Tucker shoulders arms at it.

Angling in, a tad shorter, and it keeps low. Lorcan Tucker tries to pull it, but gets a bottom edge as the ball rolls back to the bowler. A maiden.

Good-length delivery, wide outside off, little bit of outswinger as well. Stephen Doheny pushes it from the toe end of the bat.

Short, into the batter's lane. Stephen Doheny squats under it.

Slanting in, on a good length, around middle. Stephen Doheny defends it down.

Pitches it fuller, does Foulkes, shaping in sharply. Stephen Doheny closes the face of the willow at the perfect time to tuck it toward the right of the short mid-wicket fielder. However, the fielder does well to sprint back and slides to cut it off. Three runs taken. 

On a length, around off, Lorcan Tucker taps it to cover-point for one.

Short of a length to end the over, angling way down the leg side. Stephen Doheny watchfully leaves it alone.

Hard-length delivery, outside off, Lorcan Tucker lunges to cover the stumps and lifts his willow to let it travel to the keeper.

Again a good piece of fielding! Fuller, just outside off, Lorcan Tucker pushes it while opening the face of the bat. The ball zips low toward the left of the gully fielder. It's Devon Conway, who dives low to his left and makes a one-handed stop. 

Back of a length, outside off, Tucker bunts it point.

On a length, around off, Lorcan Tucker looks to ease it down the track, but it zips past the outside edge.

Hard length, around off, Lorcan Tucker dabs it to backward point.

Beaten yet again! Pitches it hard, on the length and nips it away from the batter. Lorcan Tucker tries to fend it away, but it goes past the outside edge due to the swing.

Good-length delivery, just outside off, Stephen Doheny defends it to cover from his back foot.

Back of a length, around off, Stephen Doheny camps back and blocks it to backward point.

Slanting in, around the pads of the batter. Stephen Doheny connects his flick toward the vacant square leg region and gets a couple of runs.

Pitches it fuller this time, wide outside off. Stephen Doheny attempts a drive toward the left of mid off, but gets beaten on the outside edge.

On a good length, around off, Stephen Doheny blocks it out.

Foulkes drags his length back, just outside off, Stephen Doheny opens the face of the bat and stabs it to point. 

Short, on off, Curtis Campher sways away from it.

Beaten! Ben Sears goes full, outside off, Curtis Campher leans on and looks to drive it but gets beaten.

Hard length, outside off, Curtis Campher shoulders arms at it.

Angling in, a tad fuller, on middle and leg. Curtis Campher flicks it to short mid-wicket.

Ouch, Curtis Campher is looking in pain! Good-length delivery, on off. Curtis Campher gets on his front foot to defend, but the ball gets some extra bounce off the track and hits the top hand of the batter, flush on the left glove. After taking the blow, he lost his grip on the bat and squats down in pain.

Appeal for LBW, but the umpire remains unmoved! Pitching it on a good length, angling in around middle and leg. Lorcan Tucker attempts to defend it down, but it gets past the inside edge and thumps on his front pad.

Hard-length delivery, on off, Stephen Doheny brings his willow to the front of his body and blocks it down.

Pitches it up, does Foulkes, around off, Stephen Doheny leans on the delivery and pushes it to cover. 

Back of a length, slanting down the leg side. Stephen Doheny looks to tuck it, but fails to get the connection. 

Angling in, around middle, on a length, Stephen Doheny knocks it to mid-wicket.

FOUR! The boundary will bring up the FIFTY FOR DOHENY! Short of a length, just outside off. Stephen Doheny stays on his back foot and pulls it down to the of deep square leg for four runs. Stephen Doheny gets his first half-century in Test cricket, and he has offered a fighting knock for Ireland. A warm round of applause from the spectators and he raises his willow to soak it all in.

A bouncer to follow, Stephen Doheny ducks under it.

Sprays it down the leg side, pitching it fuller. Stephen Doheny fails to connect his flick, and Tom Blundell shuffles to his left to pouch it.

A bouncer now, on middle and leg. Stephen Doheny ducks to leave it.

Fuller again, around off and middle, Stephen Doheny defends it to cover.

Pitches it up, does Sears, shaping in, around middle. Stephen Doheny eases it toward mid on.

Good-length delivery, on middle, Stephen Doheny camps back and nudges it with soft hands to square leg.

On a length, slanting in toward the pads of the batter. Stephen Doheny clips it to the left of square leg and gets a comfortable single.

Short of a length, over middle and leg. Stephen Doheny ducks underneath to make a leave at it.

Back of a length, outside off, Stephen Doheny isn't bothered to offer any shot at it.

A bit slower now, on a good length, shaping in, around the leg stump. Stephen Doheny hops a bit and looks to flick it, but misses and wears on the thigh pad. Appeal goes round from the Kiwis, but the umpire remains unmoved. The ball rolls toward fine leg and the batter gets a leg bye.

On a length, around off, Curtis Campher defends it to cover.

Good-length delivery yet again, around off, Curtis Campher blocks it to the off side from the outer part of his willow.

Pushes his length a bit fuller, does Foulkes. Curtis Campher leans on the delivery with no footwork and blocks it down. 

Good-length delivery, just outside off, Stephen Doheny gets on his front foot and knocks it to the left of the bowler.

That has been gloriously driven! Pitches it up, does Ben Sears, swinging it a hint away from the batter. Stephen Doheny strides out and punches it through the big gap between cover and point. However, the outfield is slow, and the cover fielder has enough time to cut it to three runs.

Fuller again, around off, Curtis Campher works it to mid-wicket.

Peach of a delivery! Pitches it on the nagging length, just outside off and nips it away. Curtis Campher lunges to offer a block, but it whistles past the outside edge.

FOUR! Thumped away by Campher! Back of a length, offering a lot of width outside off. Curtis Campher gets the opportunity to free his arms, and he crunches a cut shot through cover-point for four runs.

On a length, angling in, on middle and leg, Curtis Campher rests it down the pitch.

Zakary Foulkes comes into the attack and starts off with a bumper, just outside off. Curtis Campher looks to pull it away but misses.

On a good length, angling in, around off, Curtis Campher blocks it away to the off side.

Pushes his length fuller, does Foulkes, angling down the leg side. Curtis Campher misses his flick. Tom Blundell flings himself to his left and gloves it one-handedly.  

Back of a length, on off, and this one stays really low. Curtis Campher does well to tuck it to the leg side.

That one kicks off the deck! Zakary Foulkes bangs hard on the length and generates a good bouncer, just outside off. Curtis Campher gets on his toes to block it, but the ball climbs up on the batter and zips past the outside edge.

Full, sliding into the legs, clipped away firmly but straight to square leg. The maidens keep on coming for the Kiwis.

Ben Sears is back on. He starts with a full-length delivery, on middle, Stephen Doheny works it to mid-wicket, without any footwork.

Fuller once again, pitching it outside off this time, not much movement on the delivery. Stephen Doheny covers the stumps with his back leg and lifts his willow up to let it travel to the keeper.

Beaten! Sears drags his length back, pitching it outside off, threatening the batter that the ball will angle in, but swings it away. Stephen Doheny rocks back and defends it on the inside line.

On a hard length, just outside off, angling in, just outside the off stump. Stephen Doheny hangs back and attempts to block it to his front, but yet again gets beaten on the outside edge.

Full, on middle, Stephen Doheny pushes it to the left of mid on.

Sharp fielding! Good-length delivery, outside off. Stephen Doheny dabs it late toward the slip cordon. The ball bounces off toward the gap between fourth slip and gully. However, the fourth slip fielder does exceptionally well to dive to his right and make the stop. Another maiden over for New Zealand!

Slightly fuller, and outside off, Tector gets forward and defends it off the inner half of the blade, back to the bowler.

Harry Tector is off the mark in this innings. Pitched up outside off, Tector leans on and pushes it into the gap at covers, picking up a couple of runs and that breaks the string of dots.

Good length, in and around off, edged down with soft hands towards gully.

OUT! CAUGHT! Oh, that's a real nasty one to get, and Blair Tickner picks up his third wicket of the innings. Tickner bangs one halfway down the pitch, outside off and forces the ball to angle back in. It does so sharply and catches Harry Tector completely by surprise. Tector ends up on the deck as he tries to fend it away but the ball catches the handle of the blade and lobs towards the slip cordon. Tom Latham at second slip takes a simple catch to his right and Ireland are now 75/4, trailing by 236 runs.

Another steepler from Tickner, in and around off, Curtis Campher manages to leave it alone.

Good length in the channel, nudged off the outside edge and down to gully.

Short ball, over middle and leg, Doheny squats under this one, making it 18 dots in a row for Ireland.

Ooh, that's well dealt by Doheny. Bashed into the pitch, short and wide outside off, angled in. The ball shoots off the deck, but Doheny gets back on his toes and keeps it down.

Fullish length, much straighter in line, Doheny nudges it across to short mid-wicket.

Full-pitched delivery, on the fifth stump line and swinging away. Doheny leaves it alone.

Smith goes wider on the crease and pushes a length ball in towards the top of off. Doheny stays back to defend.

Bashed on a hard length and outside off, nips away late, and Doheny manages to just bail out of the defensive shot. Four maidens in a row for Nathan Smith.

Oh, that's loose from Tector. Short of a length and outside off, shaping away. Tector rocks back and has a waft at it but the ball beats the outside edge.

Well short and outisde off, left alone by Tector.

BEAUTY! Perfect length around off, the ball dips away. Harry Tector leans on to block but ends up playing inside the line as the ball just whizzes past the outside edge.

And again! Good length, angled in from a bit wider on the crease. Tector moves across to the off side but the ball shapes away late and beats the bat yet agin.

Good change-up from Tickner. A well-directed bumper, angled in from around off. Tector gets across to the off side and ducks under it.

Back-to-back maidens for the Kiwis. Back of a length and outside off, Harry Tector leaves it alone.

The in-between length again, pitches outside off and comes back in towards the stumps. Doheny stays put and watchfully blocks it off.

Slightly fuller and wider of the off stump, tapped away with soft hands towards point.

Pitched full and wide outside off, comes back in a long way, but quite late as well. Doheny makes an easy leave.

The away-swinger now, relatively full and just outside off. Doheny plays it with the swing and pats it to cover-point.

Fullish length again, outside off, Doheny pushes at it late and gets an inside edge across to short mid-wicket.

A bit too wide to make Doheny play at it, but it's another maiden for Smith. Fuller in length, outside off, Doheny shoulders arms at it.

Length ball around off, Doheny gets inside the line and gets the on-drive down towards long on. The mid on fielder gives chase and the ball also plugs, allowing the batters to pick up three runs.

Oh, that's a bit wayward. Dug in well short, over middle and leg, the ball hits the deck and angles well down leg. Tom Blundell leaps to his left to collect it as Tector ducks under it.

Back of a length, just outside off, Tector gets his hands down and lets it down the off side.

Oh, that's a nasty one. Hammered on a back of a length, just around off. This one shoots off the deck and Tector is taken by surprise. Tector manages to get his hands down but cops a blow on the right bicep.

That's a peach from Tickner. Good length, in and around off, shapes away late. Harry Tector doesn't committ forward and has a push at it but gets beaten past the outside edge.

Slightly short and outside off, Tector leans back to leave it alone.

Back of a length, on off, pushed away towards point.

Immaculate length from Smith. Just a smidge fuller than a good length, on off, Mayes leans halfway forward and tentatively blocks it off.

Good-length delivery, angled into off, but straightens down the line. Mayes hangs back to defend.

That's jagged back in sharply. Smith hammers a length around off, and the ball just darts back in a long way after pitching. Mayes is taken aback and gets hit high on the thigh pad.

Nagging length, on a tight line around off. Mayes looks to drive but gets an inside edge towards square leg.

OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! Nathan Smith does the job for his side and sends the nightwatchman packing. Beautiful length again from Smith, not all that full and on off. He gets the ball to nibble away after pitching and Thomas Mayes is drawn forward. Mayes jars at it with hard hands and gets an outside edge. Daryl Mitchell at first slip goes down to his right and snaffles it with both hands. A wicket-maiden for Smith, as Ireland still trail by 241 runs with 7 wickets in hand.

The Kiwis seem to have employed the short-ball tactic pretty early in the day. Tickner starts the new over with a bumper over middle and Doheny ducks under it well.

Hard length, on off and middle, Doheny hops back to defend.

Good length, in and around off, nips back in off the deck. Doheny opts to hang back and defends it off.

FOUR! Lovely shot and Stephen Doheny picks up the first boundary of the day. Fractionally short and outside off, Stephen Doheny presses back, waits well, and pats it down to the right of gully, and the ball races away to the fence.

Similar length, tighter around off and this one bounces a bit extra too. Doheny gets up on his toes to keep it down towards gully.

A bumper to end the over, and Tickner takes a tumble in his follow-through, not for the first time in this game either. Dug in short over middle, Doheny ducks under it with ease.

Bowled from wider on the crease, on a dragged length and angled into the batter. Smith gets the ball to then leave the right-hander and Mayes is able to leave it alone.

Fuller now, tighter line around off. Mayes makes a watchful leave.

That in-between length now, darted back in sharply towards middle stump. Mayes prods ahead and solidly blocks it off.

That's flown through, excellent take from the keeper. Sharp bumper, on middle, this one angles in a long way as Mayes ducks under it. Tom Blundell springs to his left and pouches it with the left glove.

Another quick bumper, around leg again, Mayes goes for the pull but fails to connect.

Back of a length and around off, slides right on. Mayes shoulders arms.

Gentle-paced delivery, on a length and outside off, left alone by Mayes. The ball dies on its way to the keeper.

A bit more behind this one from Tickner, on a heavy length and around off. Thomas Mayes blocks it off.

Yorker-length, dished out on the fifth stump line. Mayes is late on it and jams his bat down, but the ball sneaks under it.

Oh, that could have easily gone onto the stumps. Nice and full, slanted back in towards off. Mayes looks to drive but gets an inside edge down to fine leg and picks up a single. First run of the day for Ireland.

Good length, attacking the top of off. Doheny hangs back and defends it late.

Overpitched delivery around off, Doheny stays back again and just jams it out to mid on.

Early movement on offer. Pitched fuller and around the fifth stump line, nips away after pitching. Stephen Doheny leans ahead to block but is well beaten.

Lovely shape again. Another outswinger, in and around off, swerves away as Doheny shoulders arms at it.

Good, probing bowling from Smith. Serves it even fuller and outside off, inducing the drive. Stephen Doheny goes after it but the ball zips past the outside edge.

Easy leave this time around. Back of a length and wide outside off, going straight on. Doheny leaves it alone.

Bat on ball, finally. Pitched full and straight at the stumps, Doheny watchfully blocks it to mid on.

Smith begins Day 3 with a maiden. Good length, in the channel around off. Doheny blocks it with soft hands and off the outside half of the blade towards gully.

Tickner comes around the wicket and starts off with a bouncer, on leg and middle. Thomas Mayes squats and leaves it away. 

Another shortish delivery, on middle, Thomas Mayes yet again ducks halfway to let it through.

FOUR! Not entirely from the middle of the bat, but Mayers is off the mark. Full-length delivery, pitching on middle and shaping away from the batter. Thomas Mayes looks to block on his front foot, but gets the connection from the outer part of his willow. The ball zips past the left of the diving guly fielder and the batter gets four runs.

Short, on middle, Thomas Mayes ducks to leave it.

Bumper yet again, on middle, Thomas Mayes yet again ducks under it.

Short again, angling toward the body lane of the batter, Thomas Mayes shuffles across and lets it go. However, the umpires have dropped the bails from the stumps, which means New Zealand won't have time to bowl another over. That will be STUMPS for Day 2!

Ben goes full and bowls it around off, shaping it away from the batter. Stephen Doheny solidly gets behind the line and keeps it out.

Again, an outswinger from Sears! Pitches it up, does Sears, swings it away. Stephen Doheny drives it toward the right of the cover fielder. The fielder dives away and makes a good stop.

Full, on middle, Stephen Doheny clips it to mid-wicket.

FOUR! Well played! Ben Sears drags his length back, outside off, Stephen Doheny extends his arms and punches it through the vacant cover-point for four runs.

On a length, outside off, Stephen Doheny defends it from the back foot to the off side.

Pushes his length fuller does Sears, on middle, Stephen Doheny goes deep inside the crease and blocks it to the leg side.

Too full from Blair Tickner, on off. Cade Carmichael stays back and digs it towards the left of the bowler.

FOUR BYES! That kept really low! Hard length, outside off, and it keeps way too low. Cade Carmichael looks to block it but misses. Tom Blundell fails to judge it as the ball goes through his legs and races away to the fence.

OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! Blair Tickner gets another wicket. A tad fuller from Blair Tickner, on off, shaping away a touch. Cade Carmichael looks to block it but gets a thick outside edge. The ball carries low towards Tom Latham at second slip, who bends low and takes a good catch just inches above the ground. Ireland are 57/2 now, and they still trail by 254 runs.

Hard length, shaping away, outside off. Thomas Mayes shoulders arms at it.

Blair Tickner keeps it on a length, on off, Thomas Mayes blocks it to cover.

Bangs it short, outside off, Thomas Mayes shoulders arms at it.

Ben Sears keeps it on a length, just outside off, shaping away. Stephen Doheny hops a bit and punches it to cover.

Goes fuller, on middle and leg, Stephen Doheny blocks it back to the bowler.

Back of a length, on off, Stephen Doheny has a lazy waft at it. Gets a thick outside edge as the ball rolls towards the fielder at gully.

Hard length, just outside off, Stephen Doheny pushes it to the cover fielder.

Bangs it short, outside off, Stephen Doheny leaves the harmless delivery.

Good length, targeting the stumps. Stephen Doheny covers his line and makes a solid block.

Wide! A wayward bouncer, on off, Cade Carmichael leaves. Wide called for height.

Leading edge, safe! Hard length, on middle and leg, Cade Carmichael looks to flick it but gets a leading edge. The ball uppishly goes in the gap through point for a brace.

A tad fuller, angling in, on off. Cade Carmichael pushes it to the left of the bowler.

Blair Tickner slows it up, on off, Cade Carmichael blocks it to wide of mid on. Dot.

Back of a length, outside off, slower too. Cade Carmichael punches it to the cover fielder.

Bangs it short, on leg, Cade Carmichael ducks underneath it.

Slightly shorter, on off, Cade Carmichael stays back and blocks it towards the right of the bowler.

Pitches it fuller, does Sears, outside off. Cade Carmichael lunges to offer a drive but withdraws his bat as the ball is way out of his range.

Fuller yet again, on off and middle, Cade Carmichael pushes it back to the bowler. Ben Sears does well to get low and field it while his follow-through.

On a good length, on off, Cade Carmichael knocks it toward the left of the bowler.

Full-length delivery, on middle, Cade Carmichael tucks it but straight to the fielder in the short mid-wicket region.

Fullish yet again, around the off pole, Cade Carmichael works it to mid on.

Bumper, on middle, Cade Carmichael swivels on his back foot and pulls it to deep square leg for a single. Just one run from the over!

OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! Tickner comes over the wicket and bowls on a nagging length, just outside off, and nips it a shade away. Andy Balbirnie looks to push it away from his body with no footwork and gets a thick outside edge. The ball zips toward the keeper, where Tom Blundell does well to take the catch to his right around his waist. New Zealand have broken the 42-run opening stand, all thanks to Tickner.

A tad fuller, just outside off, Cade Carmichael leans on and knocks it down the ground and towards long off for a brace.

Nice and full, on middle, Cade Carmichael looks to knock it down the ground but gets a thick outside edge. The ball rolls towards covers as they collect a single.

Past the edge! Hard length, just outside off, shaping away. Stephen Doheny has a waft at it but misses.

Angling in, around off, Stephen Doheny gets behind the line and defends it down.

FOUR! Punched it away! On a hard length this time, offering a lot of width, outside off. Stephen Doheny frees his arms and spanks it through cover-point for four runs.

Ben Sears comes into the attack now. He comes from over the wicket and bowls on a good length, outside off, Andy Balbirnie shoulders arms at it.

Pitches it up, does Sears, on middle. Andy Balbirnie tucks it to square leg and gets a single.

Full-length delivery, on off, Stephen Doheny rocks back and blocks it down the track.

Oh, Sears is making the ball talk! Pitches it fuller, outside off, swinging it away from the batter. Stephen Doheny looks to defend it down, but it zips past the outside edge with a thin gap.

FOUR! SHOT! Overitched, on middle, swinging a bit away. Stephen Doheny, with no footwork, pushes it toward the right of the bowler. The ball rolls away toward downtown. The mid on fielder has a chase at it but fails to win the race.

Hard length, around leg, Stephen Doheny nudges it to the gap between mid-wicket and square leg for a couple of runs.

Beaten! Good-length delivery from Tickner, pitching it outside off, and keeping it straight. Stephen Doheny looks to block on his front foot and gets beaten on the outside edge.

Pitches it up, does Tickner, around off, Stephen Doheny knocks it to cover.

Back of a length, just outside off, Stephen Doheny dabs it toward cover.

Back of a length, outside off, swinging away as well. Stephen Doheny lifts his willow up and lets it travel to the keeper.

Bangs it hard on the length, does Tickner, outside off, Stephen Doheny once again lets it through.

Full-length delivery, just outside off, Stephen Doheny leans on the delivery and drives it gently to cover. Good start from Blair Tickner. He bowls a maiden over!

Good length, wide of off, Stephen Doheny shoulders his arms at it. 

Pitched up, around off, Stephen Doheny drives this on the up towards mid off.

Nathan goes full, drifting this down the leg side. Stephen Doheny goes for a flick and tucks this towards fine leg for one.

Smith bowls this on a hard length, in the line of the stumps. Andy Balbirnie gets right behind the line of the ball and pushes this to mid on.

Good length, wide of off, shaping away from the batter. Andy Balbirnie plays inside the line and gets beaten on the outside edge.

Short and on off, Andy Balbirnie gets up on his toes and keeps it out.

An inswinging delivery, short and around off, Andy Balbirnie rocks deep inside the crease and defends this out.

OUCH! This must've hurt Andy. Short and around off, Andy Balbirnie goes for a pull but completely misses out on any connection with the bat and the ball sneaks past his bat and hits the Irish skipper on the grill off his helmet. Andy is looking a bit rocked and the team physio is called out to have a concussion check on the batter.

Good length, around off, Andy Balbirnie blocks this off his back foot.

Full and on middle and off, Andy Balbirnie works this towards mid-wicket for another dot.

Another one around that nagging length from Zakary Foulkes, in the line of the stumps. Andy Balbirnie blocks this out.

A maiden for Zakary Foulkes. Hard length, around off, Andy Balbirnie defends this underneath his eyeline.

Nathan goes full and around off, Andy Balbirnie flicks this towards the mid-wicket region for a dot.

Short and on middle and off, Andy Balbirnie works this through the mid-wicket region for a single.

Good length, wide of off, Stephen Doheny gets behind the line of the ball and blocks this out.

Pitched up, around off, Stephen Doheny drives this through the left of the fielder at covers for a couple of runs.

Nathan goes full and into the stumps, Stephen Doheny blocks this to mid-wicket.

Good cricket all around. Nathan bowls this on a good length, angling it back into the batter just outside the off stump. Stephen Doheny strides towards the line of the ball, covers his off pole and leaves it all alone.

 FOUR! Good length, going down the leg side, Stephen Doheny rises with the bounce and flicks this through the square leg region for a boundary more. 

Hard length, around off, Stephen Doheny defends this off his front foot.

Back of a length, around off, Stephen Doheny gets right behind the line of the ball and keeps it out.

Right in the channel, wide outside the off stumps, Stephen Doheny looks to block this off his front foot but the ball goes straight past the outside edge of Doheny's bat.

Short and on the pads, Stephen Doheny gets up on his toes and tucks this to square leg for no run.

Full and wide outside off, Stephen Doheny doesn't move his feet and leaves it all alone.

FOUR! A bit streaky from Stephen Doheny! Good length, on off, angling in. Stephen Doheny looks to flick it but gets a leading edge. The ball races through backward point for a boundary.

FOUR MORE! Runs are flowing for Ireland here! Back of a length, just outside off, Stephen Doheny rides the bounce and punches it through point for another boundary.

Angling in, on a length, on middle. Stephen Doheny works it through mid-wicket. The fielder has a long chase to do as the batters collect three runs.

Hard length, on off, and it stays low. Andy Balbirnie blocks it solidly.

Slows it up, outside off, Andy Balbirnie shoulders arms at it.

Back of a length, angling in, just outside off. Andy Balbirnie looks to block it, but wears it high on his pads. An appeal for LBW, but nothing from the umpire. Perhaps the height.

Zakary Foulkes starts with a tad fuller, just outside off, shaping in. Andy Balbirnie drives it but finds the fielder at short cover.

Hard length, angling in, on off. Andy Balbirnie blocks it to cover again.

FOUR! Andy Balbirnie gets off the mark with a boundary as well! Much fuller, on middle and leg, Andy Balbirnie picks it well and flicks it in the gap through mid-wicket as the ball races away.

Back of a length, on off, Andy Balbirnie stays in his crease and blocks it to the left of the bowler.

FOUR MORE! A bit fortunate for Andy Balbirnie. Back of a length, on middle and leg, Andy Balbirnie flicks it. The fielder at leg gully dives to his right but fails to reach it. The ball races away to the fine leg for a boundary.

FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries from Andy Balbirnie! Hard length, on middle and leg, Andy Balbirnie lunges and flicks it through mid-wicket for another boundary.

FOUR! Brilliant way to start this innings! A half volleyball to start with from Nathan Smith, just outside off. Stephen Doheny leans on and cracks a drive through covers for a magnificent boundary. 

Nathan Smith drags his length back, outside off. Stephen Doheny shoulders arms at it.

Angling in, on a length, on off. Stephen Doheny punches it to short cover.

Nice and full, just outside off. Stephen Doheny lunges and blocks it to short cover.

Slows it up, outside off. Stephen Doheny leaves it alone.

Back of a length, outside off, Stephen Doheny lets it through towards the keeper.