Rachin Ravindra and Tom Blundell scored centuries to rescue New Zealand on the opening day of the one-off Test against Ireland in Belfast on May 28, 2026. After being asked to bat first, the Black Caps slumped to 86 for four before recovering to reach 361 for five at stumps.
Ravindra, playing his first Test in Ireland, struck 112 off 178 balls, while wicketkeeper-batsman Blundell made an unbeaten 108 off 201 balls. The pair added 198 runs for the fifth wicket, steering New Zealand from a precarious position to a commanding total.
For Ireland, pace bowler Mark Adair took two wickets, while spinners Andy McBrine and Matthew Humphreys each claimed one. The hosts will look to make early inroads on day two to limit New Zealand's first-innings lead.
