Cricket

Ravindra, Blundell lay foundations for New Zealand

By AAP Newswire

May 28, 2026

Ireland face an uphill battle in their first home Test for nearly two years after Rachin Ravindra and Tom Blundell compiled centuries to put New Zealand in the driving seat on day one.

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The Black Caps' red ball warm-up ahead of their series opener against England at Lord's on June 4 saw the first day in Belfast close on 5-361.

Ravindra struck 121 while Blundell amassed 142 not out as the middle order steadied the ship after openers Tom Latham and Devon Conway were removed cheaply and the tourists crumbled to 4-86.

Mark Adair took the openers' wickets and finished the day as Ireland's most effective bowler with figures of 3-66, while Liam McCarthy produced a costly 1-96.

"We got a really good start, the first hour was unbelievable. We set the tone with the second ball getting Tom Latham," McCarthy told the BBC.

"New Zealand dug deep and they had a really good partnership and that's the ebbs and flows of Test cricket.

"There's not many better wickets to get than Kane Williamson than your first one and that was a really really good moment for my first moment in my Test cricket career."

Ravindra said: "The Test century was brilliant and it was special feeling batting with one of my best mates, Tom Blundell."

It is the first time Ireland and New Zealand have met in a Test, which is scheduled to last four days.