Overview
- New Zealand declared on 490 for 8 after big scores from Tom Blundell (186), Rachin Ravindra (121) and Dean Foxcroft (98) then dismissed Ireland by an innings and 79 runs.
- Seamers dominated the match with Nathan Smith finishing with eight wickets and Blair Tickner claiming his first Test five‑for, 5-76, to wrap up the victory inside three days of a scheduled four-day game.
- The Stormont fixture was New Zealand’s final warm-up for the England tour and the bowling displays have put Matt Henry, Will O’Rourke and Kyle Jamieson into selection conversations for the Lord’s Test.
- Ireland showed individual positives, notably Stephen Doheny (57) and Lorcan Tucker (50) and promising debuts from several youngsters, but Curtis Campher left with a suspected broken hand and the side’s limited first-class match practice was exposed.
- The result gives New Zealand match practice and confidence before the World Test Championship series in June and leaves observers watching how the Black Caps balance their extra-form pace options for the opening Test.