IRE vs NZ: Blair Tickner's 5-wicket haul sets up innings victory for New Zealand

New Zealand hammered Ireland by an innings and 79 runs on Day 3 of the one-off Test on Friday, May 29 at Civil Service Cricket Club, Belfast. Following on, Ireland were bundled out for 232, in reply to New Zealand’s massive first innings score of 490/8.

Blair Tickner (5/76) was the wrecker-in-chief for the Kiwis, registering his maiden five-wicket haul, while Nathan Smith (2/53) also chipped in with two wickets, taking his match tally to eight scalps, having taken a six-wicket haul in the first innings.

Earlier in the day, Ireland resumed their second innings on 65/2 with Stephen Doheny (36*) and Thomas Mayes (4*) at the crease. Nathan Smith drew first blood of the day, making Mayes edge to Daryl Mitchell at first slip. Tickner also got rid of Harry Tector (2) cheaply, surprising him with a bouncer that hit his bat’s handle and carried to Tom Latham at second slip.

While wickets continued to tumble, Doheny brought up his maiden half-century in Test cricket, pulling Zakary Foulkes for a boundary. However, he also fell prey to Tickner’s short-ball ploy, fending one to Devon Conway at gully. Out of nowhere, rain began to fall, and Ireland went in to lunch on 131/5 with Lorcan Tucker and Andy McBrine at the crease.

Tom Blundell adjudged Player of the Match

The former continued to play his shots in the second session to keep the scoreboard ticking, while Andy McBrine holed out to backward point. Tucker eventually brought up his fifth Test fifty before falling prey to another short ball by Nathan Smith, gifting him his eighth wicket of the match.

A valiant effort from Mark Adair (44* off 47) delayed the inevitable before Blair Tickner got rid of Reuben Wilson to close out the innings and seal a comprehensive win for the Kiwis. Meanwhile, Tom Blundell was adjudged Player of the Match for registering his highest score in Test cricket (186) in the first innings.