Rachin Ravindra, Tom Blundell tons lift Black Caps on day one of historic test versus Ireland

Thursday, 28 May 2026

One-off test, Belfast: New Zealand 361-5 (Tom Blundell 142 not out, Rachin Ravindra 121; Mark Adair 3-66) vs Ireland. Click here for full scoreboard.

Besties Rachin Ravindra and Tom Blundell ensured the Black Caps didn’t fall into a hole in Belfast as they began a taxing month of test cricket.

At stumps on day one of the four-day match against Ireland, New Zealand were 361-5, thanks chiefly to tons from the Wellington duo.

Ravindra made 121 from 194 balls at No.4, while wicketkeeper/batter Blundell ensured NZ had the upper hand with an unbeaten 142 from 233 deliveries.

“It's a cool experience and obviously the outcome's great, but it was more batting with Tom, one of my great mates - best mates in fact,” Ravindra said of their revival effort on a pitch which lacked pace but offered enough movement throughout which allowed the hosts to put pressure on their vastly more experienced opponents.

“I think it definitely had some in it, and I think the Irish boys definitely made use of it. To have us four down for 80 made our lives quite difficult, and they were quite relentless throughout the day.

“So I guess me and Tommy's focus was building a partnership and keeping each other accountable for the shots we wanted to play on that surface, and it definitely started to get a bit nicer throughout as the day progressed.”

Their contributions, and an unbeaten 38 on test debut by Dean Foxcroft, likely gave captain Tom Latham the option of an early declaration on day two.

“I think mostly it's the task at hand, and whenever you play, you want to get yourself in positions to win games of cricket,” Ravindra said.

Latham, opening partner Devon Conway and Daryl Mitchell managed just five runs between them, and it may be deemed more beneficial that they get the best chance at another longer bat during the four-day test.

Coach Rob Walter and Latham opted to select an attack of Ben Sears, Blair Tickner, Zak Foulkes and Nathan Smith for the first test between the two nations - but only Smith would have originally been expected to be chosen for the opening game of the three-test series starting against England at Lord’s next Thursday.

Matt Henry was unavailable for selection with a low-grade left hamstring strain, meaning the leader of the pace bowling attack will join Will O'Rourke and Kyle Jamieson at a training camp in London, where they will prepare for the start of the England series.

They certainly would have relished bowling first at Stormont, as Mark Adair removed both Black Caps openers in his first four overs.

Kane Williamson (36) and Ravindra ensured the Black Caps got back on track, although trouble loomed when Mitchell was caught behind for one in the over following Williamson’s departure to have them 86-4.

But Blundell joined his left-handed team-mate and the duo put on 217 for the fifth wicket, as Ravindra reached his fifth test ton in 38 innings, hitting four sixes and 11 fours.

The only specialist keeper named in the 19-man squad for NZ’s one-off test against Ireland, Blundell had totalled just 501 runs at 21.78 - propped up by a counter-attacking ton against England at the Basin Reserve in December 2024 - in his previous 16 tests.

He struck 18 fours and two sixes - including 18 runs from four balls against Harry Tector soon after reaching his sixth test ton, while Foxcroft was unbeaten on 38 as an inexperienced home pace attack toiled gainfully for 94 overs.

Ravindra said while the immediate focus was clearly on defeating Ireland, he’s excited about the upcoming three-test series against England under coach Brendon McCullum, who he idolised growing up.

“Being a Black Caps cricket fan when he took over captaincy and you saw the culture and the way the boys went at the game … the 2015 ODI World Cup was the big thing for me. It grew cricket in New Zealand - at least that's how I saw it. I was going to games after school in my school uniform, and that's where some of my best cricket memories were made.

“And obviously him being at the forefront, the attacking opener, and the fearless captain, that's where it came from. His exploits in all formats, especially test cricket as well, and his last game in 2016 … yeah, I could go on for ages about it.”