Ireland vs New Zealand, Live Score: Rachin Ravindra and Tom Blundell both hit tons in epic 200-run stand
THE TIMES OF INDIA | May 28, 2026, 22:03:54 IST
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Ireland vs New Zealand, Live Score: Rachin Ravindra and Tom Blundell both hit tons in epic 200-run stand

Ireland vs New Zealand Test: The historic one-off Test between Ireland and New Zealand at Stormont, Belfast marks the first-ever red-ball meeting between the two nations. Ireland won the toss and opted to bowl first, hoping to make the most of the early seam and swing on offer in typical Belfast conditions.

Match Context & Conditions

This standalone four-day fixture is a landmark occasion for Irish cricket, with Ireland hosting one of the world’s top Test sides in a rare home red-ball encounter. Since Ireland are not part of the World Test Championship cycle, no WTC points are at stake.

The Stormont surface is traditionally known for assisting fast bowlers, especially in the opening session, with plenty of movement off the pitch and through the air. However, warmer temperatures in Belfast over recent days could also bring spinners into the contest as the match progresses.

Team News & Key Players

Ireland

Ireland have been dealt a major setback with experienced batter Paul Stirling ruled out after suffering an injury during a recent four-day warm-up game.

The hosts will rely heavily on Mark Adair to lead the pace attack. Adair comes into the match in excellent form after registering match figures of 6 for 80 in Malahide.

With the bat, wicketkeeper Lorcan Tucker remains Ireland’s biggest hope. The right-hander has been one of their most reliable performers in Test cricket, averaging an impressive 43.93 in the format.

New Zealand

New Zealand enter the contest as overwhelming favourites thanks to their experienced Test setup and formidable pace attack.

Captain Tom Latham is on the verge of a milestone, with one more Test victory set to draw him level with Brendon McCullum and Geoff Howarth as New Zealand’s fourth-most successful Test captain.

The Blackcaps will bank on their strong seam unit featuring Kyle Jamieson, Will O’Rourke and Ben Sears to exploit the helpful conditions in Belfast.

Ireland rarely get opportunities to play Test cricket, and hosting a red-ball match at home is an even rarer event. Facing the former world champions will provide added motivation for the hosts as they aim to prove themselves in the longest format of the game.

For New Zealand, this fixture serves as valuable preparation ahead of their upcoming three-match Test series against England. With both sides having played very little red-ball cricket recently, adapting quickly to the conditions will be crucial.

The conditions at Stormont are expected to produce a fascinating battle between bat and ball. Seamers are likely to enjoy assistance early on, but as the game wears on, spin could gradually become a factor as well. Expect a competitive and hard-fought contest over the next four days.
20:37 (IST) May 28

Finally, Tom Latham has pted to go with sin as Dean Foxcroft is called into the action.

20:37 (IST) May 28
Ireland vs New Zealand Live Score : 137/6 (30.1 overs)
0
Overs30.1
Score137 - 6

Dean Foxcroft to Andy McBrine, Floated into the batter, Andy McBrine goes onto his back foot and blocks this one.

20:35 (IST) May 28
Ireland vs New Zealand Live Score : 137/6 (29.6 overs)
Score after 30 overs 137 - 6
Runs Scored: 0
011011
  • Andy McBrine 50 (64)
  • Mark Adair 36 (61)
Ben Sears5-0-25-0
1
Overs29.6
Score137 - 6

Ben Sears to Andy McBrine, FIFTY FOR ANDY! Short and around off, Andy McBrine pushes this through covers for a single to bring up his half-century. An excellent show of playing the situation in the right manner from Andy as when he walked out, Ireland were in shambles at 34 for 5.

20:34 (IST) May 28
Ireland vs New Zealand Live Score : 136/6 (29.5 overs)
1
Overs29.5
Score136 - 6

Ben Sears to Mark Adair, Back of a length, around off, Mark Adair guides this wide to the right of the backward point fielder for a single. 

20:33 (IST) May 28
Ireland vs New Zealand Live Score : 135/6 (29.4 overs)
0
Overs29.4
Score135 - 6

Ben Sears to Mark Adair, Hard length, on the pads, Mark Adair tucks this to mid-wicket.

20:33 (IST) May 28
Ireland vs New Zealand Live Score : 135/6 (29.3 overs)
1
Overs29.3
Score135 - 6

Ben Sears to Andy McBrine, Back of a length, around off, Andy McBrine dabs this gently towards the left of the forward point fielder and the batters cross for one. Andy McBrine moves to 49.

20:32 (IST) May 28
Ireland vs New Zealand Live Score : 134/6 (29.2 overs)
1
Overs29.2
Score134 - 6

Ben Sears to Mark Adair, Full and down the leg side, Mark Adair flicks this towards the fine leg region for a strike rotation.

20:31 (IST) May 28
Ireland vs New Zealand Live Score : 133/6 (29.1 overs)
0
Overs29.1
Score133 - 6

Ben Sears to Mark Adair, Bouncer, around off, Mark Adair ducks down.

20:30 (IST) May 28
Ireland vs New Zealand Live Score : 133/6 (28.6 overs)
Score after 29 overs 133 - 6
Runs Scored: 0
040000
  • Andy McBrine 48 (62)
  • Mark Adair 34 (57)
Daryl Mitchell3-0-12-0
0
Overs28.6
Score133 - 6

Daryl Mitchell to Andy McBrine, Daryl drags his length back a bit here, bowls it around off and shaping it back into the batter. Andy McBrine blocks this.

20:30 (IST) May 28
Ireland vs New Zealand Live Score : 133/6 (28.5 overs)
0
Overs28.5
Score133 - 6

Daryl Mitchell to Andy McBrine, Another one, full and wide of off, swinging back into the batter, Andy McBrine gets right behind the line of the ball and defends this out.

20:29 (IST) May 28
Ireland vs New Zealand Live Score : 133/6 (28.4 overs)
0
Overs28.4
Score133 - 6

Daryl Mitchell to Andy McBrine, Inswinging fuller one, on the pads, Andy McBrine tucks this to mid-wicket for no run.

20:29 (IST) May 28
Ireland vs New Zealand Live Score : 133/6 (28.3 overs)
0
Overs28.3
Score133 - 6

Daryl Mitchell to Andy McBrine, Hard length, around off, Andy McBrine blocks this around covers for a dot.

20:28 (IST) May 28
Ireland vs New Zealand Live Score : 133/6 (28.2 overs)
4
Overs28.2
Score133 - 6

Daryl Mitchell to Andy McBrine, FOUR! Glorious from Andy McBrine. He is making the NZ bowlers bowl in his strong areas. Pitched-up delivery, around off, Andy McBrine strides right next to the pitch of the ball and drives this through the covers region for a boundary. 

20:27 (IST) May 28
Ireland vs New Zealand Live Score : 129/6 (28.1 overs)
0
Overs28.1
Score129 - 6

Daryl Mitchell to Andy McBrine, Full and around off, Andy McBrine gets behind the line of the ball and keeps it out.

20:26 (IST) May 28
Ireland vs New Zealand Live Score : 129/6 (27.6 overs)
Score after 28 overs 129 - 6
Runs Scored: 0
010110
  • Mark Adair 34 (57)
  • Andy McBrine 44 (56)
Ben Sears4-0-21-0
0
Overs27.6
Score129 - 6

Ben Sears to Mark Adair, Back of a length, around off, Mark Adair hops up on his toes and blocks this around covers.

20:25 (IST) May 28
Ireland vs New Zealand Live Score : 129/6 (27.5 overs)
1
Overs27.5
Score129 - 6

Ben Sears to Andy McBrine, Ben goes full and wide outside off, Andy McBrine prods onto the front foot and pushes this towards covers for a single.

20:25 (IST) May 28
Ireland vs New Zealand Live Score : 128/6 (27.4 overs)
1
Overs27.4
Score128 - 6

Ben Sears to Mark Adair, Good length, onto the pads, Mark Adair tucks this wide to the right of the mid-wicket fielder for one.

20:24 (IST) May 28
Ireland vs New Zealand Live Score : 127/6 (27.3 overs)
0
Overs27.3
Score127 - 6

Ben Sears to Mark Adair, Hard length, on top of off, Mark Adair leans low and keeps this out. This one kept low from Ben.

20:23 (IST) May 28
Ireland vs New Zealand Live Score : 127/6 (27.2 overs)
1
Overs27.2
Score127 - 6

Ben Sears to Andy McBrine, Back of a length, on the pads, Andy McBrine flicks this towards deep backward square leg for a single. 

20:23 (IST) May 28
Ireland vs New Zealand Live Score : 126/6 (27.1 overs)
0
Overs27.1
Score126 - 6

Ben Sears to Andy McBrine, Full and on middle and off, Andy McBrine pushes this from the inside of his bat towards mid on.

20:21 (IST) May 28
Ireland vs New Zealand Live Score : 126/6 (26.6 overs)
Score after 27 overs 126 - 6
Runs Scored: 0
000024
  • Mark Adair 33 (54)
  • Andy McBrine 42 (53)
Daryl Mitchell2-0-8-0
4
Overs26.6
Score126 - 6

Daryl Mitchell to Mark Adair, FOUR! Adair whacks it away to the fence for four. Short and around off, doesn't climb that big on the batter. Mark Adair stands still and pulls this over the mid-wicket fence for a boundary. The partnership moves to 88 runs between Adari and McBrine.

20:20 (IST) May 28
Ireland vs New Zealand Live Score : 122/6 (26.5 overs)
2
Overs26.5
Score122 - 6

Daryl Mitchell to Mark Adair, Daryl bowls this fuller around off, Mark Adair gets right on top of the bounce and drives this towards sweeper cover for a couple. 

20:20 (IST) May 28
Ireland vs New Zealand Live Score : 120/6 (26.4 overs)
0
Overs26.4
Score120 - 6

Daryl Mitchell to Mark Adair, Full and wide outside off, Mark Adair leaves it all alone. 

20:19 (IST) May 28
Ireland vs New Zealand Live Score : 120/6 (26.3 overs)
0
Overs26.3
Score120 - 6

Daryl Mitchell to Mark Adair, Good length, on off, Mark Adair keeps it out.

20:19 (IST) May 28
Ireland vs New Zealand Live Score : 120/6 (26.2 overs)
0
Overs26.2
Score120 - 6

Daryl Mitchell to Mark Adair, Full and wide outside off, Mark Adair gets it edged off the bottom of his bat towards the right of the keeper.

20:18 (IST) May 28
Ireland vs New Zealand Live Score : 120/6 (26.1 overs)
0
Overs26.1
Score120 - 6

Daryl Mitchell to Mark Adair, Back of a length, around middle and leg, Mark Adair goes for a slog but misses and gets hit high on his thigh pad.

20:17 (IST) May 28
Ireland vs New Zealand Live Score : 120/6 (25.6 overs)
Score after 26 overs 120 - 6
Runs Scored: 0
0004(4B)40
  • Andy McBrine 42 (53)
  • Mark Adair 27 (48)
Blair Tickner6-1-28-0
0
Overs25.6
Score120 - 6

Blair Tickner to Andy McBrine, Hard length, on off, Andy McBrine keeps it out around covers.

20:16 (IST) May 28
Ireland vs New Zealand Live Score : 120/6 (25.5 overs)
4
Overs25.5
Score120 - 6

Blair Tickner to Andy McBrine, FOUR! Short and around middle and leg, Andy McBrine swivels and pulls this to the left of Rachin Ravindra at the deep square leg region. The ball bounces wide to the fielder's left and goes for a boundary. 

20:16 (IST) May 28
Ireland vs New Zealand Live Score : 116/6 (25.4 overs)
0
Overs25.4
Score116 - 6

Blair Tickner to Andy McBrine, FOUR BYES! Blair goes completely off the radar and darts one short and way too wide down the leg side, Andy McBrine leaves it and the keeper, despite his dive, fails to get close to it. The ball races to the fine leg fence for four. 

20:15 (IST) May 28
Ireland vs New Zealand Live Score : 112/6 (25.3 overs)
0
Overs25.3
Score112 - 6

Blair Tickner to Andy McBrine, Short and wide of off, Andy McBrine cuts this towards point.

20:14 (IST) May 28
Ireland vs New Zealand Live Score : 112/6 (25.2 overs)
0
Overs25.2
Score112 - 6

Blair Tickner to Andy McBrine, Full and onto the pads, Andy McBrine flicks this to the right of the wide mid on fielder. A dive comes in from the fielder and he saves a certain boundary.

20:14 (IST) May 28
Ireland vs New Zealand Live Score : 112/6 (25.1 overs)
0
Overs25.1
Score112 - 6

Blair Tickner to Andy McBrine, Blair bowls it on a good length, on middle and off, Andy McBrine rocks onto his back foot and keeps it out.

20:13 (IST) May 28
Ireland vs New Zealand Live Score : 112/6 (24.6 overs)
Score after 25 overs 112 - 6
Runs Scored: 0
00021(1LB)0
  • Mark Adair 27 (48)
  • Andy McBrine 38 (47)
Daryl Mitchell1-0-2-0
0
Overs24.6
Score112 - 6

Daryl Mitchell to Mark Adair, Around that nagging length by Daryl, on middle and leg. Mark Adair pushes this towards mid on for a dot.

20:12 (IST) May 28
Ireland vs New Zealand Live Score : 112/6 (24.5 overs)
1lb
Overs24.5
Score112 - 6

Daryl Mitchell to Andy McBrine, LEG BYE! Full and going down the leg, Andy McBrine gets it clipped off his pads towards the fine leg region for a leg bye. 

20:11 (IST) May 28
Ireland vs New Zealand Live Score : 111/6 (24.4 overs)
2
Overs24.4
Score111 - 6

Daryl Mitchell to Andy McBrine, Daryl goes full and onto the pads, Andy McBrine flicks this towards fine leg for a couple. 

20:11 (IST) May 28
Ireland vs New Zealand Live Score : 109/6 (24.3 overs)
0
Overs24.3
Score109 - 6

Daryl Mitchell to Andy McBrine, Hard length, on middle and leg, Andy McBrine tucks this to mid-wicket. 

20:10 (IST) May 28
Ireland vs New Zealand Live Score : 109/6 (24.2 overs)
0
Overs24.2
Score109 - 6

Daryl Mitchell to Andy McBrine, Back of a length, around off, Andy McBrine punches this towards covers for a dot. 

20:10 (IST) May 28
Ireland vs New Zealand Live Score : 109/6 (24.1 overs)
0
Overs24.1
Score109 - 6

Daryl Mitchell to Andy McBrine, Good length, around off, Andy McBrine keeps it out.

20:09 (IST) May 28

Daryl Mitchell comes into the attack. Still no sign of a spinner as the conditions continue to be overcast.

20:08 (IST) May 28
Ireland vs New Zealand Live Score : 109/6 (23.6 overs)
Score after 24 overs 109 - 6
Runs Scored: 0
400300
  • Mark Adair 27 (47)
  • Andy McBrine 36 (42)
Blair Tickner5-1-24-0
0
Overs23.6
Score109 - 6

Blair Tickner to Mark Adair, Back of a length, on middle and off, Mark Adair blocks this off his back foot. 

20:08 (IST) May 28
Ireland vs New Zealand Live Score : 109/6 (23.5 overs)
0
Overs23.5
Score109 - 6

Blair Tickner to Mark Adair, Short and around off, Mark Adair arches back and goes for the upper cut but misses. A deep third is placed very fine for exactly this stroke.

20:07 (IST) May 28
Ireland vs New Zealand Live Score : 109/6 (23.4 overs)
3
Overs23.4
Score109 - 6

Blair Tickner to Andy McBrine, Blair goes full and on off, Andy McBrine gets right behind the line of the ball and punches this towards the long off fence. The ball is fielded just inside the fence by the short cover fielder and the batters run three.

20:06 (IST) May 28
Ireland vs New Zealand Live Score : 106/6 (23.3 overs)
0
Overs23.3
Score106 - 6

Blair Tickner to Andy McBrine, Good length, on middle and leg, Andy McBrine tucks this towards mid-wicket. 

20:06 (IST) May 28
Ireland vs New Zealand Live Score : 106/6 (23.2 overs)
0
Overs23.2
Score106 - 6

Blair Tickner to Andy McBrine, Hard length, on off, Andy McBrine punches this to point. 

20:05 (IST) May 28
Ireland vs New Zealand Live Score : 106/6 (23.1 overs)
4
Overs23.1
Score106 - 6

Blair Tickner to Andy McBrine, FOUR! Back of a length, around middle and leg, Andy McBrine goes onto his back foot and pulls this through the mid-wicket region for a boundary as well. 

20:05 (IST) May 28

Mark Adair and Andy McBrine to the rescue of Ireland. The duo has done extremely well to put up a fightback from being 38 for 6 to 106 for 6 and counting...

20:04 (IST) May 28
Ireland vs New Zealand Live Score : 102/6 (22.6 overs)
Score after 23 overs 102 - 6
Runs Scored: 0
004040
  • Mark Adair 27 (45)
  • Andy McBrine 29 (38)
Ben Sears3-0-18-0
0
Overs22.6
Score102 - 6

Ben Sears to Mark Adair, Good length, around off, Mark Adair pushes this towards covers for a dot.

20:03 (IST) May 28
Ireland vs New Zealand Live Score : 102/6 (22.5 overs)
4
Overs22.5
Score102 - 6

Ben Sears to Mark Adair, FOUR! 100 comes up for Ireland. Overpitched, around off, Mark Adair opens his front leg, plants this towards his leg side and hammers this down the ground towards the long on fence for a boundary. 

20:03 (IST) May 28
Ireland vs New Zealand Live Score : 98/6 (22.4 overs)
0
Overs22.4
Score98 - 6

Ben Sears to Mark Adair, Shot and wide of off, Mark Adair leans back and looks for the square cut but misses out.

20:02 (IST) May 28
Ireland vs New Zealand Live Score : 98/6 (22.3 overs)
4
Overs22.3
Score98 - 6

Ben Sears to Mark Adair, FOUR! This is a masterclass by Adair and Andy as well for their top-order to learn how to play on this deck against this bowling attack. Good length, around off, Mark Adair presses onto his front foot and drives this from the middle of his bat for a boundary through the covers region. 

159 More Updates
Ireland vs New Zealand Test: Ireland and New Zealand are facing off in a historic one-off Test at Stormont, Belfast — the first-ever Test match between the two nations. Ireland won the toss and chose to bowl first, hoping to exploit the seam-friendly conditions early on.

Ireland will miss experienced batter Paul Stirling due to injury, while Mark Adair leads the pace attack after strong recent form. Lorcan Tucker remains their key batter in the middle order.

New Zealand enter as heavy favourites with a powerful pace attack featuring Kyle Jamieson, Will O’Rourke and Ben Sears. Captain Tom Latham is also close to becoming one of New Zealand’s most successful Test captains.

Although no World Test Championship points are at stake, the match is significant for Ireland, who rarely get opportunities to play and host Test cricket. For New Zealand, it serves as preparation for their upcoming Test series against England.