Ireland vs New Zealand, NZ in IRE, One-off Test, 2026 May 27 Full score card

OUT! TAKEN! There it is. A five-wicket haul for Blair Tickner. Angling in, on a length, on off. Reuben Wilson stays back in his crease and looks to block it. The ball shapes away a touch and kisses the outside edge of Reuben Wilson's blade. It carries towards Daryl Mitchell at second slip, who dives to his left and takes a comfortable catch. New Zealand beat Ireland by an innings and 79 runs as Curtis Campher won't be taking part in this match. A dominant victory for the Kiwis.

Short, on middle, Mark Adair pulls it on the bounce towards deep mid-wicket. He decides to take a single again on the first ball of the over.

Reuben Wilson survives yet again. Hard length, outside off, holds the line. Wilson reads it well and leaves it alone.

Back of a length, outside off, Reuben Wilson stays back and dabs it to the gully fielder.

Good length, shaping in, on middle. Reuben Wilson covers his line and blocks it back to the bowler.

A slower bouncer, outside off, Mark Adair knocks it down to long off for a single.

Bangs it short, on leg, Mark Adair shuffles across and looks to slap it but misses.

Slightly shorter, outside off, Mark Adair makes room and looks to slap it but misses.

Angling in, on a length, on off. Mark Adair punches it through point for a single.

Short and wide, slower too. Mark Adair leaves it alone.

Back of a length, just outside off, and it keeps low. Reuben Wilson looks to block it, but gets beaten. The ball just misses the off pole. The keeper fails to stop it as the batters collect a bye.

FOUR! Reuben Wilson has his first runs in Test cricket, but in a streaky manner. Hard length, outside off, Reuben Wilson throws a kitchen sink at it. Gets an outside edge as the ball flies over the slip cordon for a boundary.

Slows it up, outside off, Reuben Wilson blocks it to point.

Back of a length, down leg, following the batter. Mark Adair shuffles across and guides it to third man for a single. Strange decision as he leaves Reuben Wilson to survive for the remaining five balls.

Wilson survives! Good length, just outside off, Reuben Wilson has a waft at it but gets beaten.

Ben Sears bangs it short, on off, Reuben Wilson sways away from it.

Reuben Wilson survives another ball. Good length, just outside off, Reuben Wilson covers his line and blocks it to the point fielder.

Angling in, on a length, on off. Reuben Wilson blocks it back to the bowler.

That just missed the off pole! Hard length, outside off, Reuben Wilson puts his bat to it but gets a bottom edge. The ball bounces past the off pole and goes towards the keeper.

A slower bouncer, outside off, Reuben Wilson shoulders arms at it.

Ireland loses their eighth wicket. With Curtis Campher still not available, Reuben Wilson walks up to the middle as the new batter.

OUT! LIAM McCARTHY IS RUN OUT! There's chaos out in the middle and an untimely slip hands the Kiwis their 8th wicket. Blair Tickner stays around the wicket, bangs it halfway down the pitch and over off stump. Mark Adair goes after it and slaps it high up over covers, no timing on it, though. The batters complete two runs with ease as Devon Conway chases it down. But Adair wants the strike and they look for the third. Adair realizes it isn't there and McCarthy also turns back but slips just before making his ground. Conway throws the ball to the keeper and Tickner whips off the bails. It is given out onfield.

Tickner goes around the wicket and darts it well across off. Adair ducks under it.

FOUR! The Kiwis are hemorrhaging runs at the moment. Another short ball, and again Adair backs away, clubbing it down towards long on for another boundary.

FOUR BYES! That's a wild one from Tickner and Ireland are still in with a chance to avoid an innings defeat. Too short and angling in. Adair backs away and misses and the ball sailsover the keeper, into the fine leg fence.

FOUR! Pumped down the ground and the Kiwi lead has now been cut to under 100 runs, currently standing at 98. Overpitched delivery on middle, Mark Adair makes room and laces it wide of long off for a boundary.

A juicy full toss, just angling down leg. Adair backs away early and is just taken aback by the length of the ball as he swings through thin air.

DRINKS BREAK! New Zealand need just three wickets to win this contest, but on the other hand, Ireland are trying hard to take the lead. Mark Adair is looking very sharp. The short ball tactic is just not working against him, so the Kiwi bowlers need to take out a different approach to eliminate the batter. Also, according to the on-air commentators, Curtis Campher is at the hospital getting scans done on his left hand, and he won't be available to bat. On the other end, Liam McCarthy is just trying to protect the wicket and let the game roll. Ireland trail by 102 runs. Blair Tickner will continue his spell.

Back of a length, just outside off and pushed into the left-hander. However, the ball straightens after pitching and Liam McCarthy does well to hop back and play inside the line. Ireland now trail by 102 runs.

A rare fumble from the keeper. Short of a length, darts back in with some extra bounce. Adair makes room but is beaten and Tom Blundell fails to collect it clenaly to his left. The batters get a bye.

FOUR! Wow, that's a shot! Good length, attacking off and middle. Mark Adair backs away early and smacks it through the huge gap at covers for a boundary.

Another short ball, just outside off, seams away as well whilst staying low. Adair ducks under it and, once again, Nathan Smith has overstepped. NO BALL!

Short of a length, angled back into the batter. Adair tries to back away and go over the off side but is beaten fopr pace and bounce.

An attempted bumper, around off, and this one stays low. Adair ducks under it.

Nowhere near the middle of the bat. Full and attacking the stumps, Mark Adair hangs back and gives it an all-mighty hoick. Mistimes it over mid on and picks up two runs.

Pitched up full and just outside off, Adair looks for the expansive drive but gets beaten past the inside edge. It is given as a No Ball for overstepping.

Good-length delivery, darted back in from outside off. McCarthy gets pegged back and wears it high on the pads.

Dug in even shorter, over middle, Mark Adair has to reach high up and he flat-bats it wide of deep mid-wicket for one. 200 UP FOR IRELAND.

FOUR! The short-stuff isn't quite working out for Tickner and New Zealand right now. Dug in short over middle and leg, Adair puts a lot of force and slaps the pull wide of long on for another boundary. He's scored plenty of handy runs in this Test match for Ireland.

Good work in the deep. Tickner comes around the wicket and darts a shortish ball well across off. Adair reaches out and slashes it to the left of Ben Sears at deep backward point for a couple of runs.

Much fuller, on a good length and over middle. Adair sets up to pull but gets an inside edge onto the pads. Also, Blair Tickner has overstepped here and a No Ball is called.

Shorter in length again, over the stumps, Mark makes room to wallop it away but misses.

FOUR! The field was set for the short-ball ploy and Mark Adair just takes it on. Banged in short over middle, Adair backs away and drags the hook shot up and over backward square leg for a boundary. Ireland trail by 119 runs now.

A bumper to end the over, five runs off it. Dug in well short over off and middle, McCarthy ducks under it with ease.

Fullish length, slanted in towards middle stump. McCarthy shows the full face of the bat and blocks it off.

Full-pitched delivery outside off, McCarthy punches it into the deck and Smith springs to his right in the followthrough to make a good stop.

Well bowled! Smith pulls the length back a bit and gets the ball to shape away from the fourth-stump line. McCarthy plays inside the line.

FOUR! Another good-looking shot from Liam McCarthy. Full and outside off, bowled from around the wicket. McCarthy leans ahead and punches it uppishly, but through the gap at covers and the ball rolls away into the fence.

Adair had no idea where that went. Good length, in the channel, Adair looks to cut but gets an inside edge down to fine leg for a single. Ireland now trail by 127 runs.

Another good-length delivery, outside off, Liam McCarthy doesn't offer any shot at it.

Pitches it on a good length, outside off, left alone by Liam McCarthy.

FOUR! Excellent shot! Foulkes once again pushes his length fuller, outside off. Liam McCarthy brings out his front foot to get near the delivery and presents the full face of the bat to drive it toward the left of Blair Tickner in the short cover region for four runs.

Back of a length, outside off, Liam McCarthy lets it travel to the keeper.

Beautiful delivery from Foulkes! He bowls it fuller yet again, outside off, but swings it away from the batter. Liam McCarthy looks to offer a drive at it, but it zips past the outside edge.

Pitches it up, does Zakary Foulkes, outside off, Liam McCarthy neatly drives it between the cover and point fielders and gets a couple of runs.

On a length, outside off, Mark Adair blocks it to point.

NO BALL! The umpire has already given two bouncer warnings and now, with the third short delivery, which is going over the batter, the umpire has called it a No Ball. Mark Adair leaves it alone and gets a bonus run for the team.

Bumper, on middle, Mark Adair detects the bouncer and ducks under it.

Back of a length, around the hips of the batter. Mark Adair clips it with soft hands to mid-wicket and gets another brace.

Fuller in length, around off, Mark Adair pushes it into the gap between backward point and cover and picks up a double.

Angling in, outside off, on a length. Lorcan Tucker looks to block it but gets an inside edge. The ball rolls towards fine leg as the batters collect a single.

Wide! A wayward bouncer, outside off, Liam McCarthy leaves. Wide called for height.

Lorcan Tucker departs for 50. Liam McCarthy is the new batter.

OUT! TAKEN! Ireland lose their seventh wicket and the experienced batter has to walk back to the dugout. Short of a length, just outside off, Lorcan Tucker looks to pull it but gets a top edge as the ball climbs big on him. The ball flies behind the stumps, where Daryl Mitchell from the first slip has to track back and takes a well-judged catch. Ireland trail by 141 runs.

Hard length, on middle, angling in. Mark Adair makes room and blocks it to point.

Zakary Foulkes bangs it short, on middle and leg, Mark Adair ducks under it.

FIFTY FOR TUCKER! In the first inning, Lorcan Tucker had to depart without even opening his account, but he makes a comeback now and surpasses the 50-run mark for the fifth time in test cricket. This is on a good length, around the hips of the batter. Lorcan Tucker flicks it swiftly toward square leg and gets a single.

On a length, on off, Lorcan Tucker rests it down.

Beaten! Back of a length, just outside off, nipping it a shade away. Lorcan Tucker opts to defend it on his back foot, but it just whizzles past the outside edge.

FOUR! With that boundary, Tucker moves to 49! Good-length delivery, outside off, Lorcan Tucker punches it while opening the face of the bat, between gully and backward point for four runs.

Short of a length to end the over, on middle. Mark Adair ducks and leaves it away.

A bit fuller than the previous delivery, around off, Mark Adair pats it to cover.

On a good length, angling in, just outside off. Mark Adair dabs it back to the bowler.

FOUR! Nicely played! Full-length delivery, outside off. Mark Adair gets on his front foot and drives it gently through cover for the boundary.

On a length, on off, Lorcan Tucker nudges it to the right of mid-wicket and gets a single.

Nathan Smith joins the attack for the first time after the Lunch break. Bumper straight away, on middle, Lorcan Tucker comes down the track, but leans away to let it travel to the keeper.

Back of a length outside off. Mark Adair goes for a swing to punch it over the cover region, but fails to get the connection.

Bouncer, slanting in, around off. Mark Adair ducks once again.

Short, on middle, Mark Adair squats under the delivery.

FOUR! Good shot! A tad fuller in length, wide outside off, Mark Adair leans toward the delivery, planting his front foot halfway toward the pitched delivery and opening the face of the bat before offering the drive at it. The ball dribbles toward the deep cover fence for four runs.

Oh, Zakary Foulkes is still having a good swing. Pitching it on a good length, just outside off and nips in sharply. Mark Adair looks to flick it away, but it gets past the inside edge and thumps the pad.

Back of a length, on off, Mark Adair gets behind the line and defends it back to the bowler.

Bouncer, on off, Lorcan Tucker sways away and makes a leave.

FOUR! That has been cracked away for a boundary. Back of a length, outside off. Lorcan Tucker throws the kitchen sink at it and cuts it toward the left of the deep point fielder for four runs.

Fuller in length, on middle, Lorcan Tucker nudges it to mid on.

Pitches it on the back of a good length, outside off, shaping in a shade. Lorcan Tucker lunges and shoulders at it.

On a hard length, just outside off, Lorcan Tucker initially looks to block it, but changes his mind and lets it through.

Full, on off, Lorcan Tucker pushes it to mid on.

Short, on off and middle, Lorcan Tucker pulls it down to deep square leg and gets a single. Tucker is into the 40s now!

Good-length delivery, slanting in, around the pads of the batter. Mark Adair misses to work it to the leg side and gets pinged on his pad, before the ball rolls to fine leg. Single taken.

Back of a length, outside off, Mark Adair pushes it to point.

Sharp bouncer, on off and middle, Mark Adair ducks under it.

Mark Adair walks out to bat next.

OUT! CAUGHT! That's a brilliant catch from Nathan Smith. Zakary Foulkes serves a short and wide ball, there to be hit and Andy McBrine goes after it. He frees his arms and laces the cut but hits it uppishly. Smith at backward point, springs to his left and gobbles it up brilliantly. McBrine played really well in Ireland's first-innings, but he has to walk back after playing a loose shot here.

Bangs a bouncer, on middle, Lorcan Tucker pulls it to deep square leg and gets a single.

Short, angling down the leg side, Andy McBrine makes a leave at it.

Back of a length, outside off, Andy McBrine just pushes it toward the right of deep point. The fielder chases from the deep cover region and rolls on his shoulder to field it. Double taken by the batters.

Back of a length, on middle, Lorcan Tucker works it to square leg for a single.

FOUR! Now that's a classy shot. Good-length delivery, wide outside off. Lorcan Tucker gets on his front foot and punches it well through the cover-point region for four more runs.

Pitches it up, does Searns, on off, Lorcan Tucker pushes it opening the face of the bat to cover.

Much fuller, just outside off, Andy McBrine bends his back leg and drives it along the carpet to deep cover for an easy single.

Pitches it on a good length, angling in, around off, Lorcan Tucker shoulders at it.

Back of a length, angling down the leg side, Lorcan Tucker swings and misses.

Good-length delivery, outside off, left alone by Lorcan Tucker.

SIX! That's quite a shot from Lorcan Tucker! Zakary Foulkes bends his back and offers a bouncer, on middle. Lorcan Tucker seems ready for the short delivery as he transfers his weight on his back foot as soon as the bowler releases, swivels, and pulls it over the deep fine leg fence for half a dozen.

Fuller, outside off, Lorcan Tucker dabs it to gully.

Zakary Foulkes comes over the wicket and bowls on a good length, angling in, around middle. Lorcan Tucker looks to block it down, but gets beaten on the inside edge and wears on his pad.

On a length, outside off, Andy McBrine defends it from his back foot.

Swing and a miss! Pushes his length fuller, does Sears, outside off, asking the batter to give it a hit. Andy McBrine attempts to punch it away from his body, but misses the connection on the outside edge.

Good-length delivery, around off, Andy McBrine blocks it out.

FOUR! Not entirely from the middle of the bat, but McBrine will take those runs. On a hard length, outside off. Andy McBrine stays on his back foot and looks to punch it through cover, but gets the connection from the outer half of his bat, before the ball rolls away toward the deep bacward point fence for four runs.

Sears bashes hard on the length, angling in, around middle. Andy McBrine hops a bit and tucks it low to the leg side.

Fuller in length, wide outside off, Andy McBrine pushes it from the inner part of his bat toward cover.

Who will bowl from the other end? It will be Ben Sears.

Back of a length, on off, Lorcan Tucker stays in his crease and blocks it to short cover.

Slows it up, outside off, Lorcan Tucker leaves it alone.

An appeal but turned down. A yorker, sliding down leg, Lorcan Tucker looks to flick it but gets a blow on his shoes. A stifled appeal but nothing from the umpire.

Nice and full, targeting the stumps, Lorcan Tucker blocks it to mid off.

Zakary Foulkes starts with a length ball, on middle and leg, Lorcan Tucker looks to flick it but wears it on his pads. The ball rolls towards the fielder at square leg. Dot.

We are back for the post-Lunch session on Day 3. The on-air commentators inform us that Curtis Campher is probably at a hospital, getting scans done on his left hand. The umpires are back out in the middle and so are the players of New Zealand. Andy McBrine and Lorcan Tucker will resume their stay at the crease, and Zakary Foulkes will complete his unfinished over. Let's go...

... DAY 3, SESSION 2 ...

Live to fight another day? With plenty of time still left on Day 3, the big question is whether Ireland can bat for a couple of more sessions and take the game into the final day or not. The scoring rate has picked up significantly in the last few overs and Tucker seems to be playing a solid knock. However, the Kiwis will know that a wicket or two here and they will have the opportunity to go for the kill. Do join us for what should be a fascinating post-Lunch session beginning at 1 pm GMT.

Ireland looking to dig deep - Coming into the day at 65/2, Ireland needed some resistance and that's what Stephen Doheny gave them. However, Nathan Smith bowled a top spell from one end and Blair Tickner got the ball to bounce up and down a lot and both bowlers picked up a wicket each in their opening spells to put the hosts into a spot of bother. Doheny did reach his maiden Test half-century, but couldn't kick on, and Curtis Campher was retired hurt, adding to Ireland's woes as Tickner picked up a four-fer.

The Kiwis strengthen their grip - Right then, the first session on Day 3 has been cut short by 10-12 minutes, but we have witnessed plenty of action. For now, New Zealand still lead by 180 big runs, and they need 5 more wickets to wrap up the Test. However, Ireland have their top two all-time leading scorers in Tests in the form of Andy McBrine and Lorcan Tucker, and will hope that they put on a big stand. Also, the squabble lasted just a couple of minutes and it is now all clear once again.

Uh, oh! The few drops of rain have quickly turned into a drizzle. The umpires call for covers and the players are going off. The Irish batters certainly won't mind an early Lunch break. And, it is official now, as the umpires have called for LUNCH ON DAY 3.

Game stopped due to : Rain Stoppage

Too full, on leg, Andy McBrine flicks it through mid-wicket for a single.

Zakary Foulkes comes back in to replace Blair Tickner. Also, a few droplets of rain have started to fall.

Short ball, outside off, Lorcan Tucker leaves it alone.

Good length, angling in, on off. Lorcan Tucker covers is line and blocks it back to the bowler.

Nice and full, targeting the stumps, Lorcan Tucker blocks it back to the bowler.

That one kept low! Hard length, outside off, and it keeps low. Lorcan Tucker looks to drive it but misses.

A tad fuller, on off, Lorcan Tucker blocks it back to the bowler.

Nice and full, on off, Lorcan Tucker blocks it solidly towards mid on.

FOUR BYES! Bonus runs! A wayward bouncer, down the leg side, Andy McBrine leaves. The keeper dives but fails to stop it as the ball races away to the fence at fine leg.

Bangs it short, on leg, Lorcan Tucker tugs it through square leg for a single.

Short, on leg, Lorcan Tucker looks to pull it but gets a bottom edge. The ball rolls to the left of the keeper. Dot.

A tad fuller, on middle, Lorcan Tucker blocks it back to the bowler.

Keeps it outside off, angling in. Lorcan Tucker reads it well and makes a tight leave.

FOUR! Through the gap, and it races away to the fence! Full and straight, on off, Lorcan Tucker rides the bounce and steers it through point for a boundary.

Angling in, on a length, on off. Andy McBrine blocks it back to the bowler.

Short, on middle and leg, Lorcan Tucker pulls it through square leg for a single.

FOUR! That races away to the fence! Nathan Smith bangs it short, on middle and leg, Lorcan Tucker swivels and pulls it powerfully through backward square leg as the ball races away to the fence.

Angling in, on a length, on off. Lorcan Tucker blocks it back to the bowler.

FOUR! That's a good shot from Lorcan Tucker! Good length, outside off, Lorcan Tucker opens the face of his bat and guides it through the slip cordon for a boundary.

Hard length, outside off, holds the line. Lorcan Tucker blocks it to the left of the bowler.

Nathan Smith (9-5-19-1) is brought back into the attack.

Good length, outside off, Andy McBrine taps it to the point fielder.

FOUR! Lovely bit of timing from Andy McBrine! Overpitched from Blair Tickner, outside off. Andy McBrine offers the full face of his bat and times it perfectly through extra cover for a boundary.

Slows it up, outside off, Andy McBrine leaves the harmless delivery.

Bangs it short, on middle and leg, Lorcan Tucker pulls it through backward square leg for a single.

A yorker, on middle, Lorcan Tucker gets his bat down in time and digs it through mid-wicket for a brace.

Beaten! Length, just outside off, with a hint of away movement. Lorcan Tucker tries to block it but gets beaten.

Angling in, on a length, on off. Andy McBrine blocks it watchfully.

Daryl Mitchell sways it down leg, Andy McBrine leaves it alone. Tom Blundell flies to his right and makes a magnificet one handed stop which could have been a boundary. Dot ball.

Much fuller, on off, Andy McBrine drives it to the fielder at cover.

Edged, safe! Hard length, and this one nips in sharply. Andy McBrine looks to block it but edges it to the fielder at backward point. Dot.

Daryl Mitchell keeps it full, on leg, Andy McBrine flicks it to the fielder at short mid-wicket.

Much fuller, sliding down leg, Andy McBrine looks to flick it but the ball hits his shoes and rolls towards short mid-wicket. Dot.

Hard length, on middle and leg, Andy McBrine turns it to square leg for a single.

The next batter is Andy McBrine, who was the star with the bat for Ireland in the first innings.

OUT! TAKEN! Excellent catch from Devon Conway. Blair Tickner bangs it short, on off, Stephen Doheny gets in two minds. He stands tall and looks to block it, but the snorter of a delivery hits the handle of his bat. It lobs in the air towards the gully region. Devon Conway runs forward, dives, and takes a magnificent catch just inches above the ground. Stephen Doheny makes his way back after a fine knock. Ireland trail by 207 runs now.

Keeps it full, on off, Stephen Doheny blocks it back to the bowler.

Bangs it short, on off, Lorcan Tucker pulls it through square leg for a single.

Past the edge! Hard length, outside off, shaping away. Lorcan Tucker swings hard but misses.

FOUR! Hundred up for Ireland! Overpitched from Blair Tickner, on off, Lorcan Tucker takes a step forward and drives it straight down the ground for a boundary. The hosts still trail by 208 runs.

Daryl Mitchell starts with a maiden. Full and straight, Stephen Doheny drives it to wide of mid off. Nathan Smith moves to his left and makes a good stop. Dot.

Daryl Mitchell goes full, on off, Stephen Doheny blocks it to short cover. Five dots from Daryl Mitchell.

Slows it up, outside off, Stephen Doheny leaves it alone.

Good length, outside off, holds the line. Stephen Doheny blocks it to short cover.

Hard length, outside off, shaping away. Stephen Doheny leaves it alone.

Nice and full from Daryl Mitchell to start with, on off, Stephen Doheny stays back and blocks it to mid off.

A double bowling change yet again from the Kiwis. Daryl Mitchell is handed the ball now. He seems to have an issue with the state of the ball, which the umpire has a look at and tosses back to Mitchell.

FOUR! A rare boundary for Ireland! Bangs it short, on middle and leg, Lorcan Tucker stays in his crease, swivels, and pulls it through backward square leg for a boundary.

Angling in, on middle and leg, Lorcan Tucker looks to flick it but miscues it to cover.

Bangs it short, outside off, and it keeps low. Lorcan Tucker tries to pull it but misses on the bottom edge.

A tad fuller, on middle and leg, Lorcan Tucker flicks it to short mid-wicket.

Slows it up, outside off, Lorcan Tucker leaves it alone.

Back of a length, on middle and leg, Stephen Doheny tugs it to mid-wicket for a run.

The Sun is out, and we can see some radiant sunshine out in the middle. The Irish batters will hope that the Sun keeps shining and the conditions get a bit easier to bat. Also, Blair Tickner (10-3-24-3) is back on.

Angling in, a tad shorter, and it keeps low. Lorcan Tucker tries to pull it, but gets a bottom edge as the ball rolls back to the bowler. A maiden.

Ben Sears keeps it outside off, Lorcan Tucker shoulders arms at it.

Good length, on off, holds the line. Lorcan Tucker covers his line and blocks it to mid-wicket.

Beaten! Hard length, just outside off, shaping away a touch. Lorcan Tucker tries to block it but gets beaten.

Slows it up, outside off, and it keeps low. Lorcan Tucker leaves the harmless delivery.

A tad fuller, on off, Lorcan Tucker taps it to the cover fielder.

Short of a length to end the over, angling way down the leg side. Stephen Doheny watchfully leaves it alone.

On a length, around off, Lorcan Tucker taps it to cover-point for one.

Pitches it fuller, does Foulkes, shaping in sharply. Stephen Doheny closes the face of the willow at the perfect time to tuck it toward the right of the short mid-wicket fielder. However, the fielder does well to sprint back and slides to cut it off. Three runs taken.

Slanting in, on a good length, around middle. Stephen Doheny defends it down.

Short, into the batter's lane. Stephen Doheny squats under it.

Good-length delivery, wide outside off, little bit of outswinger as well. Stephen Doheny pushes it from the toe end of the bat.

Beaten yet again! Pitches it hard, on the length and nips it away from the batter. Lorcan Tucker tries to fend it away, but it goes past the outside edge due to the swing.

Hard length, around off, Lorcan Tucker dabs it to backward point.

On a length, around off, Lorcan Tucker looks to ease it down the track, but it zips past the outside edge.

Back of a length, outside off, Tucker bunts it point.

Again a good piece of fielding! Fuller, just outside off, Lorcan Tucker pushes it while opening the face of the bat. The ball zips low toward the left of the gully fielder. It's Devon Conway, who dives low to his left and makes a one-handed stop.

Hard-length delivery, outside off, Lorcan Tucker lunges to cover the stumps and lifts his willow to let it travel to the keeper.

Foulkes drags his length back, just outside off, Stephen Doheny opens the face of the bat and stabs it to point.

On a good length, around off, Stephen Doheny blocks it out.

Pitches it fuller this time, wide outside off. Stephen Doheny attempts a drive toward the left of mid off, but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Slanting in, around the pads of the batter. Stephen Doheny connects his flick toward the vacant square leg region and gets a couple of runs.

Back of a length, around off, Stephen Doheny camps back and blocks it to backward point.

Good-length delivery, just outside off, Stephen Doheny defends it to cover from his back foot.

Appeal for LBW, but the umpire remains unmoved! Pitching it on a good length, angling in around middle and leg. Lorcan Tucker attempts to defend it down, but it gets past the inside edge and thumps on his front pad.

Ouch! That is a stinging blow. Curtis Campher is down on his haunches and the physio is out. Also, the umpires decide to call for a DRINKS BREAK as well. It seems like it is the left hand of Campher, around the wrist, where he is feeling a lot of pain. So far, the first session on Day 3 has flown by and New Zealand have bagged a couple of wickets as well. Stephen Doheny has played really well, given the seam-friendly conditions and has scored a fifty as well. But Ireland will need a lot more from him and the others if they are to get anything out of this match. The Kiwi lead is still 223 runs, with plenty of time left in the Test match. Not a good sign for the hosts and Campher is going off the field. What a shame. Campher might even go off for a scan, and if he is unable to bat again, Ireland are effectively 5 down. Lorcan Tucker comes in to replace him in the middle.

Ouch! Curtis Campher is looking in some discomfort and is unable to continue. A blow to the batting team as Curtis Campher is retired hurt.

Ouch, Curtis Campher is looking in pain! Good-length delivery, on off. Curtis Campher gets on his front foot to defend, but the ball gets some extra bounce off the track and hits the top hand of the batter, flush on the left glove. After taking the blow, he lost his grip on the bat and squats down in pain.

Angling in, a tad fuller, on middle and leg. Curtis Campher flicks it to short mid-wicket.

Hard length, outside off, Curtis Campher shoulders arms at it.

Beaten! Ben Sears goes full, outside off, Curtis Campher leans on and looks to drive it but gets beaten.

Short, on off, Curtis Campher sways away from it.

A bouncer to follow, Stephen Doheny ducks under it.

FOUR! The boundary will bring up the FIFTY FOR DOHENY! Short of a length, just outside off. Stephen Doheny stays on his back foot and pulls it down to the of deep square leg for four runs. Stephen Doheny gets his first half-century in Test cricket, and he has offered a fighting knock for Ireland. A warm round of applause from the spectators and he raises his willow to soak it all in.

Angling in, around middle, on a length, Stephen Doheny knocks it to mid-wicket.

Back of a length, slanting down the leg side. Stephen Doheny looks to tuck it, but fails to get the connection.

Pitches it up, does Foulkes, around off, Stephen Doheny leans on the delivery and pushes it to cover.

Hard-length delivery, on off, Stephen Doheny brings his willow to the front of his body and blocks it down.

On a length, slanting in toward the pads of the batter. Stephen Doheny clips it to the left of square leg and gets a comfortable single.

Good-length delivery, on middle, Stephen Doheny camps back and nudges it with soft hands to square leg.

Pitches it up, does Sears, shaping in, around middle. Stephen Doheny eases it toward mid on.

Fuller again, around off and middle, Stephen Doheny defends it to cover.

A bouncer now, on middle and leg. Stephen Doheny ducks to leave it.

Sprays it down the leg side, pitching it fuller. Stephen Doheny fails to connect his flick, and Tom Blundell shuffles to his left to pouch it.

Pushes his length a bit fuller, does Foulkes. Curtis Campher leans on the delivery with no footwork and blocks it down.

Good-length delivery yet again, around off, Curtis Campher blocks it to the off side from the outer part of his willow.

On a length, around off, Curtis Campher defends it to cover.

A bit slower now, on a good length, shaping in, around the leg stump. Stephen Doheny hops a bit and looks to flick it, but misses and wears on the thigh pad. Appeal goes round from the Kiwis, but the umpire remains unmoved. The ball rolls toward fine leg and the batter gets a leg bye.

Back of a length, outside off, Stephen Doheny isn't bothered to offer any shot at it.

Short of a length, over middle and leg. Stephen Doheny ducks underneath to make a leave at it.

On a length, angling in, on middle and leg, Curtis Campher rests it down the pitch.

FOUR! Thumped away by Campher! Back of a length, offering a lot of width outside off. Curtis Campher gets the opportunity to free his arms, and he crunches a cut shot through cover-point for four runs.

Peach of a delivery! Pitches it on the nagging length, just outside off and nips it away. Curtis Campher lunges to offer a block, but it whistles past the outside edge.

Fuller again, around off, Curtis Campher works it to mid-wicket.

That has been gloriously driven! Pitches it up, does Ben Sears, swinging it a hint away from the batter. Stephen Doheny strides out and punches it through the big gap between cover and point. However, the outfield is slow, and the cover fielder has enough time to cut it to three runs.

Good-length delivery, just outside off, Stephen Doheny gets on his front foot and knocks it to the left of the bowler.

Full, sliding into the legs, clipped away firmly but straight to square leg. The maidens keep on coming for the Kiwis.

That one kicks off the deck! Zakary Foulkes bangs hard on the length and generates a good bouncer, just outside off. Curtis Campher gets on his toes to block it, but the ball climbs up on the batter and zips past the outside edge.

Back of a length, on off, and this one stays really low. Curtis Campher does well to tuck it to the leg side.

Pushes his length fuller, does Foulkes, angling down the leg side. Curtis Campher misses his flick. Tom Blundell flings himself to his left and gloves it one-handedly.

On a good length, angling in, around off, Curtis Campher blocks it away to the off side.

Zakary Foulkes comes into the attack and starts off with a bumper, just outside off. Curtis Campher looks to pull it away but misses.

Sharp fielding! Good-length delivery, outside off. Stephen Doheny dabs it late toward the slip cordon. The ball bounces off toward the gap between fourth slip and gully. However, the fourth slip fielder does exceptionally well to dive to his right and make the stop. Another maiden over for New Zealand!

Full, on middle, Stephen Doheny pushes it to the left of mid on.

On a hard length, just outside off, angling in, just outside the off stump. Stephen Doheny hangs back and attempts to block it to his front, but yet again gets beaten on the outside edge.

Beaten! Sears drags his length back, pitching it outside off, threatening the batter that the ball will angle in, but swings it away. Stephen Doheny rocks back and defends it on the inside line.

Fuller once again, pitching it outside off this time, not much movement on the delivery. Stephen Doheny covers the stumps with his back leg and lifts his willow up to let it travel to the keeper.

Ben Sears is back on. He starts with a full-length delivery, on middle, Stephen Doheny works it to mid-wicket, without any footwork.

Good length in the channel, nudged off the outside edge and down to gully.

Another steepler from Tickner, in and around off, Curtis Campher manages to leave it alone.

Harry Tector bites the dust. Curtis Campher is the new batter.

OUT! CAUGHT! Oh, that's a real nasty one to get, and Blair Tickner picks up his third wicket of the innings. Tickner bangs one halfway down the pitch, outside off and forces the ball to angle back in. It does so sharply and catches Harry Tector completely by surprise. Tector ends up on the deck as he tries to fend it away but the ball catches the handle of the blade and lobs towards the slip cordon. Tom Latham at second slip takes a simple catch to his right and Ireland are now 75/4, trailing by 236 runs.

Good length, in and around off, edged down with soft hands towards gully.

Harry Tector is off the mark in this innings. Pitched up outside off, Tector leans on and pushes it into the gap at covers, picking up a couple of runs and that breaks the string of dots.

Slightly fuller, and outside off, Tector gets forward and defends it off the inner half of the blade, back to the bowler.

Bashed on a hard length and outside off, nips away late, and Doheny manages to just bail out of the defensive shot. Four maidens in a row for Nathan Smith.

Smith goes wider on the crease and pushes a length ball in towards the top of off. Doheny stays back to defend.

Full-pitched delivery, on the fifth stump line and swinging away. Doheny leaves it alone.

Fullish length, much straighter in line, Doheny nudges it across to short mid-wicket.

Ooh, that's well dealt by Doheny. Bashed into the pitch, short and wide outside off, angled in. The ball shoots off the deck, but Doheny gets back on his toes and keeps it down.

Short ball, over middle and leg, Doheny squats under this one, making it 18 dots in a row for Ireland.

Back-to-back maidens for the Kiwis. Back of a length and outside off, Harry Tector leaves it alone.

Good change-up from Tickner. A well-directed bumper, angled in from around off. Tector gets across to the off side and ducks under it.

And again! Good length, angled in from a bit wider on the crease. Tector moves across to the off side but the ball shapes away late and beats the bat yet agin.

BEAUTY! Perfect length around off, the ball dips away. Harry Tector leans on to block but ends up playing inside the line as the ball just whizzes past the outside edge.

Well short and outisde off, left alone by Tector.

Oh, that's loose from Tector. Short of a length and outside off, shaping away. Tector rocks back and has a waft at it but the ball beats the outside edge.

A bit too wide to make Doheny play at it, but it's another maiden for Smith. Fuller in length, outside off, Doheny shoulders arms at it.

Fullish length again, outside off, Doheny pushes at it late and gets an inside edge across to short mid-wicket.

The away-swinger now, relatively full and just outside off. Doheny plays it with the swing and pats it to cover-point.

Pitched full and wide outside off, comes back in a long way, but quite late as well. Doheny makes an easy leave.

Slightly fuller and wider of the off stump, tapped away with soft hands towards point.

The in-between length again, pitches outside off and comes back in towards the stumps. Doheny stays put and watchfully blocks it off.

Slightly short and outside off, Tector leans back to leave it alone.

That's a peach from Tickner. Good length, in and around off, shapes away late. Harry Tector doesn't committ forward and has a push at it but gets beaten past the outside edge.

Oh, that's a nasty one. Hammered on a back of a length, just around off. This one shoots off the deck and Tector is taken by surprise. Tector manages to get his hands down but cops a blow on the right bicep.

Back of a length, just outside off, Tector gets his hands down and lets it down the off side.

Oh, that's a bit wayward. Dug in well short, over middle and leg, the ball hits the deck and angles well down leg. Tom Blundell leaps to his left to collect it as Tector ducks under it.

Length ball around off, Doheny gets inside the line and gets the on-drive down towards long on. The mid on fielder gives chase and the ball also plugs, allowing the batters to pick up three runs.

Harry Tector is the new batter in.

OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! Nathan Smith does the job for his side and sends the nightwatchman packing. Beautiful length again from Smith, not all that full and on off. He gets the ball to nibble away after pitching and Thomas Mayes is drawn forward. Mayes jars at it with hard hands and gets an outside edge. Daryl Mitchell at first slip goes down to his right and snaffles it with both hands. A wicket-maiden for Smith, as Ireland still trail by 241 runs with 7 wickets in hand.

Nagging length, on a tight line around off. Mayes looks to drive but gets an inside edge towards square leg.

That's jagged back in sharply. Smith hammers a length around off, and the ball just darts back in a long way after pitching. Mayes is taken aback and gets hit high on the thigh pad.

Good-length delivery, angled into off, but straightens down the line. Mayes hangs back to defend.

Immaculate length from Smith. Just a smidge fuller than a good length, on off, Mayes leans halfway forward and tentatively blocks it off.

Back of a length, on off, pushed away towards point.

A bumper to end the over, and Tickner takes a tumble in his follow-through, not for the first time in this game either. Dug in short over middle, Doheny ducks under it with ease.

Similar length, tighter around off and this one bounces a bit extra too. Doheny gets up on his toes to keep it down towards gully.

FOUR! Lovely shot and Stephen Doheny picks up the first boundary of the day. Fractionally short and outside off, Stephen Doheny presses back, waits well, and pats it down to the right of gully, and the ball races away to the fence.

Good length, in and around off, nips back in off the deck. Doheny opts to hang back and defends it off.

Hard length, on off and middle, Doheny hops back to defend.

The Kiwis seem to have employed the short-ball tactic pretty early in the day. Tickner starts the new over with a bumper over middle and Doheny ducks under it well.

Back of a length and around off, slides right on. Mayes shoulders arms.

Another quick bumper, around leg again, Mayes goes for the pull but fails to connect.

That's flown through, excellent take from the keeper. Sharp bumper, on middle, this one angles in a long way as Mayes ducks under it. Tom Blundell springs to his left and pouches it with the left glove.

That in-between length now, darted back in sharply towards middle stump. Mayes prods ahead and solidly blocks it off.

Fuller now, tighter line around off. Mayes makes a watchful leave.

Bowled from wider on the crease, on a dragged length and angled into the batter. Smith gets the ball to then leave the right-hander and Mayes is able to leave it alone.

Overpitched delivery around off, Doheny stays back again and just jams it out to mid on.

Good length, attacking the top of off. Doheny hangs back and defends it late.

Oh, that could have easily gone onto the stumps. Nice and full, slanted back in towards off. Mayes looks to drive but gets an inside edge down to fine leg and picks up a single. First run of the day for Ireland.

Yorker-length, dished out on the fifth stump line. Mayes is late on it and jams his bat down, but the ball sneaks under it.

A bit more behind this one from Tickner, on a heavy length and around off. Thomas Mayes blocks it off.

Gentle-paced delivery, on a length and outside off, left alone by Mayes. The ball dies on its way to the keeper.

Nathan Smith starts with a maiden. Blair Tickner to share the attack from the other end.

Smith begins Day 3 with a maiden. Good length, in the channel around off. Doheny blocks it with soft hands and off the outside half of the blade towards gully.

Bat on ball, finally. Pitched full and straight at the stumps, Doheny watchfully blocks it to mid on.

Easy leave this time around. Back of a length and wide outside off, going straight on. Doheny leaves it alone.

Good, probing bowling from Smith. Serves it even fuller and outside off, inducing the drive. Stephen Doheny goes after it but the ball zips past the outside edge.

Lovely shape again. Another outswinger, in and around off, swerves away as Doheny shoulders arms at it.

Early movement on offer. Pitched fuller and around the fifth stump line, nips away after pitching. Stephen Doheny leans ahead to block but is well beaten.

Right then, we are all set for Day 3's action to begin. The umpires and the players are out in the middle. Stephen Doheny and the night watchman, Thomas Mayes, will resume their innings. Nathan Smith will start with the ball. Let's go...

A word with the debutant, Reuben Wilson - Reuben Wilson says that it's been a tough time for them so far, but they have given their best. He adds that they have enjoyed their couple of days of cricket. He further says that he was happy with his first wicket and ends by saying that he didn't get off the mark with the bat in the first innings, but if he gets a chance to bat in the second innings, he will score some runs as well.

A quick chat with Dean Foxcroft - Dean Foxcroft says that he is a bit disappointed to be dismissed on 98, but they are in a good position to win this game. Adds that he just got a top edge as he was trying to get his hundred. He reckons that they bowled pretty well and they are in a strong position, and ends by saying that hopefully they will strike early and win this game.

PITCH REPORT - Katey Martin says that it is overcast and windy, which will aid the bowlers. On the deck, she says that there are still cracks in the wicket, which will continue to dry out, but there aren't many demons in it. She further adds that someone like Rachin Ravindra will come into play, and the spinners might get a bit of drift as well. Overall, she says that there is an opportunity for an Irish batter to score big as well.

The plan for today? The scripts for both dressing rooms are completely different this morning. For New Zealand, the mission is simple. Attack from ball one, extract any morning moisture left in the surface, and wrap up a clinical victory before the day ends. For Ireland, it is entirely about survival. They need to block out the noise, eat up time, erase this massive deficit, and force New Zealand to bat again. Can they do it? We shall find out...

The equation right now - Forced to bat a second time, Ireland have started with a much cooler head, currently sitting at 65/2 after 16 overs. Blair Tickner broke an encouraging 42-run opening stand by picking up skipper Andrew Balbirnie and Cade Carmichael in quick succession. Stephen Doheny has looked good and he is out there right now alongside the nightwatchman. As it stands, Ireland still trail by 246 runs with 8 wickets left in the bag.

So, how did the Kiwis take control? Yesterday was a masterclass in modern Test cricket by the Kiwis. Resuming at 361/5, New Zealand powered their way to a mammoth 490/8 and declared. Tom Blundell was the star of the show, hammering a career-best 186 alongside Rachin Ravindra’s spectacular 121. Spare a thought for debutant Dean Foxcroft, who was agonizingly dismissed just two runs short of a dream century on 98. When Ireland came out to bat, Kiwi speedster Nathan Smith absolutely tore through the top order, picking up an incredible fifer to leave the hosts reeling at 38/6. A brilliant 116-run counter-attacking partnership between Andy McBrine and Mark Adair gave Ireland some respectability, pulling them up to 179, but it wasn't enough to avoid the follow-on.

Welcome to Day 3 at Stormont - A very warm welcome back to our live coverage of this historic one-off Test match. The weather is set and we are tuning in for a game that could very well be the final day of this match. New Zealand enters the day firmly in the driver’s seat, while Ireland faces a massive mountain to climb if they want to survive the spin and swing today.

... DAY 3, SESSION 1 ...

Day 2 concludes - That wraps up all the action from Day 2. It was another day that completely belonged to the visiting team, leaving New Zealand miles ahead in this Test match. Ireland now faces a massive challenge. The home team must first clear the remaining 246-run deficit before they can build a target to fight against the Kiwis. The exciting battle will resume on Day 3 on May 29, 2026, at 10 am GMT. Cheers!

Word from the Irish camp - Andy McBrine is up for a chat. Andy says that he is happy with his individual performance with the bat. On the partnership between him and Adair, he says that he enjoyed batting with Mark, and also adds that when he was batting, he just wanted to add more and more runs on the board. However, he would have liked it if they pushed their scoreboard more. Andy adds that they have a huge task tomorrow, and they will try to bat deep into the day.

NZ's star with the ball, Nathan Smith - Nathan Smith says that he enjoyed the condition as the ball was moving well off the deck. Nathan adds that it's a bit hard to bowl with the old ball, but he is happy with the way they have been playing. On his first five-fer, he comments that he feels great to contribute something to the team and it always feels good to have wickets under the column. Nathan Smith credits Dean Foxcroft, saying that it was wonderful to watch him play and also notes that it's the partnership between Dean Foxcroft and Rachin Ravindran that revived the batting innings for them.

Ireland fights hard after follow-on - Since Ireland was behind by 311 runs, New Zealand made them bat again straight away. The Irish openers did a much better job in their second turn. They put on 42 runs for the first wicket before captain Andy Balbirnie edged a ball from Blair Tickner to wicketkeeper Tom Blundell. Cade Carmichael walked out, replacing his skipper, but got a beauty from Blair and had to make the long walks as well. Ireland ended Day 2 at 65 for 2 and still trail by 246 runs. Doheny looked much more confident and sits on 36 not out, while the nightwatchman, Thomas Mayes, has done what he was sent out to do and is unbeaten on 4 heading into Day 3.

Fightback and a brilliant spell from Smith - Just when it looked like Ireland would be bowled out quickly, Mark Adair and Andy McBrine saved the day with a brave 116-run partnership. They lifted the team from 38 for 6 to 154 before Nathan Smith finally dismissed Adair. The rest of the batting order fell fast, and Ireland was bowled out for 179 runs. Nathan Smith was the star bowler for New Zealand, taking an amazing 6 wickets to claim his first-ever five-wicket haul. Ben Sears took two wickets in the same over to clean up the tail, while Zakary Foulkes and Blair Tickner got one wicket each.

Ireland's top order crumbles before Lunch - Ireland had a terrible start to their first innings against New Zealand's big total. The Kiwi bowlers put heavy pressure on the home team right away. Ireland lost two quick wickets in just six overs while scoring only 20 runs before the Lunch break. Things got even worse in the afternoon session as the New Zealand bowlers took total control. Ireland lost four more wickets quickly, leaving them in deep trouble at 38 for 6.

Kiwis power ahead and declare on Day 2 - New Zealand started the day at 361 for 5 and batted very well in the morning. Tom Blundell and Dean Foxcroft built a strong 158-run partnership to push the team total to 461. Blundell eventually got out after scoring a brilliant 186 runs. Foxcroft kept fighting alongside Nathan Smith and Zakary Foulkes but got out just two runs short of a century on his Test debut. As soon as Foxcroft fell, New Zealand declared their first innings at a massive 490 for 8.

STUMPS ON DAY 2 - New Zealand have totally dominated Day 2 of the Test match. They started by adding quick runs to their score in the morning. Then, the bowlers took over and grabbed 12 wickets on the same day. Ireland were bowled out for just 179 runs in their first innings. Since they trailed by 311 runs, New Zealand forced them to bat again straight away by enforcing the follow-on. The visitors are now miles ahead in this contest.

Short again, angling toward the body lane of the batter, Thomas Mayes shuffles across and lets it go. However, the umpires have dropped the bails from the stumps, which means New Zealand won't have time to bowl another over. That will be STUMPS for Day 2!

Ben Sears is jogging quickly towards the run-up so that New Zealand can get another over.

Bumper yet again, on middle, Thomas Mayes yet again ducks under it.

Short, on middle, Thomas Mayes ducks to leave it.

FOUR! Not entirely from the middle of the bat, but Mayers is off the mark. Full-length delivery, pitching on middle and shaping away from the batter. Thomas Mayes looks to block on his front foot, but gets the connection from the outer part of his willow. The ball zips past the left of the diving guly fielder and the batter gets four runs.

Another shortish delivery, on middle, Thomas Mayes yet again ducks halfway to let it through.

Tickner comes around the wicket and starts off with a bouncer, on leg and middle. Thomas Mayes squats and leaves it away.

Pushes his length fuller does Sears, on middle, Stephen Doheny goes deep inside the crease and blocks it to the leg side.

On a length, outside off, Stephen Doheny defends it from the back foot to the off side.

FOUR! Well played! Ben Sears drags his length back, outside off, Stephen Doheny extends his arms and punches it through the vacant cover-point for four runs.

Full, on middle, Stephen Doheny clips it to mid-wicket.

Again, an outswinger from Sears! Pitches it up, does Sears, swings it away. Stephen Doheny drives it toward the right of the cover fielder. The fielder dives away and makes a good stop.

Ben goes full and bowls it around off, shaping it away from the batter. Stephen Doheny solidly gets behind the line and keeps it out.

Bangs it short, outside off, Thomas Mayes shoulders arms at it.

Blair Tickner keeps it on a length, on off, Thomas Mayes blocks it to cover.

Hard length, shaping away, outside off. Thomas Mayes shoulders arms at it.

Ireland loses their second wicket now, and just as expected, Thomas Mayes has walked out as the nightwatchman.

OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! Blair Tickner gets another wicket. A tad fuller from Blair Tickner, on off, shaping away a touch. Cade Carmichael looks to block it but gets a thick outside edge. The ball carries low towards Tom Latham at second slip, who bends low and takes a good catch just inches above the ground. Ireland are 57/2 now, and they still trail by 254 runs.

FOUR BYES! That kept really low! Hard length, outside off, and it keeps way too low. Cade Carmichael looks to block it but misses. Tom Blundell fails to judge it as the ball goes through his legs and races away to the fence.

Too full from Blair Tickner, on off. Cade Carmichael stays back and digs it towards the left of the bowler.

Good length, targeting the stumps. Stephen Doheny covers his line and makes a solid block.

Bangs it short, outside off, Stephen Doheny leaves the harmless delivery.

Hard length, just outside off, Stephen Doheny pushes it to the cover fielder.

Back of a length, on off, Stephen Doheny has a lazy waft at it. Gets a thick outside edge as the ball rolls towards the fielder at gully.

Goes fuller, on middle and leg, Stephen Doheny blocks it back to the bowler.

We might see a nightwatchman for Ireland as Thomas Mayes is seen padded up next, just in case a wicket falls in the last 15 minutes or so.

Ben Sears keeps it on a length, just outside off, shaping away. Stephen Doheny hops a bit and punches it to cover.

Slightly shorter, on off, Cade Carmichael stays back and blocks it towards the right of the bowler.

Bangs it short, on leg, Cade Carmichael ducks underneath it.

Back of a length, outside off, slower too. Cade Carmichael punches it to the cover fielder.

Blair Tickner slows it up, on off, Cade Carmichael blocks it to wide of mid on. Dot.

A tad fuller, angling in, on off. Cade Carmichael pushes it to the left of the bowler.

Leading edge, safe! Hard length, on middle and leg, Cade Carmichael looks to flick it but gets a leading edge. The ball uppishly goes in the gap through point for a brace.

Wide! A wayward bouncer, on off, Cade Carmichael leaves. Wide called for height.

Bumper, on middle, Cade Carmichael swivels on his back foot and pulls it to deep square leg for a single. Just one run from the over!

Fullish yet again, around the off pole, Cade Carmichael works it to mid on.

Full-length delivery, on middle, Cade Carmichael tucks it but straight to the fielder in the short mid-wicket region.

On a good length, on off, Cade Carmichael knocks it toward the left of the bowler.

Fuller yet again, on off and middle, Cade Carmichael pushes it back to the bowler. Ben Sears does well to get low and field it while his follow-through.

Pitches it fuller, does Sears, outside off. Cade Carmichael lunges to offer a drive but withdraws his bat as the ball is way out of his range.

FOUR! Punched it away! On a hard length this time, offering a lot of width, outside off. Stephen Doheny frees his arms and spanks it through cover-point for four runs.

Angling in, around off, Stephen Doheny gets behind the line and defends it down.

Past the edge! Hard length, just outside off, shaping away. Stephen Doheny has a waft at it but misses.

Nice and full, on middle, Cade Carmichael looks to knock it down the ground but gets a thick outside edge. The ball rolls towards covers as they collect a single.

A tad fuller, just outside off, Cade Carmichael leans on and knocks it down the ground and towards long off for a brace.

Andy Balbirnie bites the dust. Cade Carmichael is the new batter.

OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! Tickner comes over the wicket and bowls on a nagging length, just outside off, and nips it a shade away. Andy Balbirnie looks to push it away from his body with no footwork and gets a thick outside edge. The ball zips toward the keeper, where Tom Blundell does well to take the catch to his right around his waist. New Zealand have broken the 42-run opening stand, all thanks to Tickner.

Hard length, around leg, Stephen Doheny nudges it to the gap between mid-wicket and square leg for a couple of runs.

FOUR! SHOT! Overitched, on middle, swinging a bit away. Stephen Doheny, with no footwork, pushes it toward the right of the bowler. The ball rolls away toward downtown. The mid on fielder has a chase at it but fails to win the race.

Oh, Sears is making the ball talk! Pitches it fuller, outside off, swinging it away from the batter. Stephen Doheny looks to defend it down, but it zips past the outside edge with a thin gap.

Full-length delivery, on off, Stephen Doheny rocks back and blocks it down the track.

Pitches it up, does Sears, on middle. Andy Balbirnie tucks it to square leg and gets a single.

Ben Sears comes into the attack now. He comes from over the wicket and bowls on a good length, outside off, Andy Balbirnie shoulders arms at it.

Full-length delivery, just outside off, Stephen Doheny leans on the delivery and drives it gently to cover. Good start from Blair Tickner. He bowls a maiden over!

Bangs it hard on the length, does Tickner, outside off, Stephen Doheny once again lets it through.

Back of a length, outside off, swinging away as well. Stephen Doheny lifts his willow up and lets it travel to the keeper.

Back of a length, just outside off, Stephen Doheny dabs it toward cover.

Pitches it up, does Tickner, around off, Stephen Doheny knocks it to cover.

Beaten! Good-length delivery from Tickner, pitching it outside off, and keeping it straight. Stephen Doheny looks to block on his front foot and gets beaten on the outside edge.

Short and on off, Andy Balbirnie gets up on his toes and keeps it out.

Good length, wide of off, shaping away from the batter. Andy Balbirnie plays inside the line and gets beaten on the outside edge.

Smith bowls this on a hard length, in the line of the stumps. Andy Balbirnie gets right behind the line of the ball and pushes this to mid on.

Nathan goes full, drifting this down the leg side. Stephen Doheny goes for a flick and tucks this towards fine leg for one.

Pitched up, around off, Stephen Doheny drives this on the up towards mid off.

Good length, wide of off, Stephen Doheny shoulders his arms at it.

A maiden for Zakary Foulkes. Hard length, around off, Andy Balbirnie defends this underneath his eyeline.

Another one around that nagging length from Zakary Foulkes, in the line of the stumps. Andy Balbirnie blocks this out.

Full and on middle and off, Andy Balbirnie works this towards mid-wicket for another dot.

Good length, around off, Andy Balbirnie blocks this off his back foot.

Slight halt! The physio is out for a mandatory concussion check as Andy Balbirnie takes a blow on his helmet. The New Zealand players are also taking a small drinks break. Balbirnie looks good to continue.

OUCH! This must've hurt Andy. Short and around off, Andy Balbirnie goes for a pull but completely misses out on any connection with the bat and the ball sneaks past his bat and hits the Irish skipper on the grill off his helmet. Andy is looking a bit rocked and the team physio is called out to have a concussion check on the batter.

An inswinging delivery, short and around off, Andy Balbirnie rocks deep inside the crease and defends this out.

Good cricket all around. Nathan bowls this on a good length, angling it back into the batter just outside the off stump. Stephen Doheny strides towards the line of the ball, covers his off pole and leaves it all alone.

Nathan goes full and into the stumps, Stephen Doheny blocks this to mid-wicket.

Pitched up, around off, Stephen Doheny drives this through the left of the fielder at covers for a couple of runs.

Good length, wide of off, Stephen Doheny gets behind the line of the ball and blocks this out.

Short and on middle and off, Andy Balbirnie works this through the mid-wicket region for a single.

Nathan goes full and around off, Andy Balbirnie flicks this towards the mid-wicket region for a dot.

Full and wide outside off, Stephen Doheny doesn't move his feet and leaves it all alone.

Short and on the pads, Stephen Doheny gets up on his toes and tucks this to square leg for no run.

Right in the channel, wide outside the off stumps, Stephen Doheny looks to block this off his front foot but the ball goes straight past the outside edge of Doheny's bat.

Back of a length, around off, Stephen Doheny gets right behind the line of the ball and keeps it out.

Hard length, around off, Stephen Doheny defends this off his front foot.

FOUR! Good length, going down the leg side, Stephen Doheny rises with the bounce and flicks this through the square leg region for a boundary more.

Back of a length, angling in, just outside off. Andy Balbirnie looks to block it, but wears it high on his pads. An appeal for LBW, but nothing from the umpire. Perhaps the height.

Slows it up, outside off, Andy Balbirnie shoulders arms at it.

Hard length, on off, and it stays low. Andy Balbirnie blocks it solidly.

Angling in, on a length, on middle. Stephen Doheny works it through mid-wicket. The fielder has a long chase to do as the batters collect three runs.

FOUR MORE! Runs are flowing for Ireland here! Back of a length, just outside off, Stephen Doheny rides the bounce and punches it through point for another boundary.

FOUR! A bit streaky from Stephen Doheny! Good length, on off, angling in. Stephen Doheny looks to flick it but gets a leading edge. The ball races through backward point for a boundary.

FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries from Andy Balbirnie! Hard length, on middle and leg, Andy Balbirnie lunges and flicks it through mid-wicket for another boundary.

FOUR MORE! A bit fortunate for Andy Balbirnie. Back of a length, on middle and leg, Andy Balbirnie flicks it. The fielder at leg gully dives to his right but fails to reach it. The ball races away to the fine leg for a boundary.

Back of a length, on off, Andy Balbirnie stays in his crease and blocks it to the left of the bowler.

FOUR! Andy Balbirnie gets off the mark with a boundary as well! Much fuller, on middle and leg, Andy Balbirnie picks it well and flicks it in the gap through mid-wicket as the ball races away.

Hard length, angling in, on off. Andy Balbirnie blocks it to cover again.

Zakary Foulkes starts with a tad fuller, just outside off, shaping in. Andy Balbirnie drives it but finds the fielder at short cover.

A better start this time for the Irish side with the bat. Zakary Foulkes will operate from the other end.

Back of a length, outside off, Stephen Doheny lets it through towards the keeper.

Slows it up, outside off. Stephen Doheny leaves it alone.

Nice and full, just outside off. Stephen Doheny lunges and blocks it to short cover.

Angling in, on a length, on off. Stephen Doheny punches it to short cover.

Nathan Smith drags his length back, outside off. Stephen Doheny shoulders arms at it.

FOUR! Brilliant way to start this innings! A half volleyball to start with from Nathan Smith, just outside off. Stephen Doheny leans on and cracks a drive through covers for a magnificent boundary.

OUT! CAUGHT! The Kiwis have got their last wicket. A sharp bouncer from Ben Sears around off. Reuben Wilson sways his head to make a leave at it, but the ball thumps the gloves of the batter. The ball then lobs toward the front of Kane Williamson in the first slip region, where he dives and takes a good catch. Ireland are all out, posting 179 runs on the board.

Good length, around off, shaping away from the batter. Reuben Wilson pokes at it away from his body but gets beaten on his outside edge.

Back of a length, around off, Reuben Wilson keeps it out.

Reuben Wilson walks out last to bat for Ireland.

OUT! CAUGHT! Good length, around off, going across the batter, Liam McCarthy doesn't move his feet towards the pitch of the ball and slashes hard at it. Liam gets it edged off the outside edge towards Kane Williamson at second slip. Kane moves well to his left and takes a good catch to send Liam back. Ireland still trail by 311 runs. Remember, in a four-day Test, the cushion to enforce a follow-on drops from the standard 200 runs down to just 150. So the last wicket needs to score more than 160 runs to stop the follow-on, which seems way too difficult at this point.

Short and wide of off, Liam McCarthy doesn't offer any stroke at it.

Back of a length, around off, Liam McCarthy pokes at it away from his body but gets beaten on his outside edge.

LEG BYE! Hard length, onto the pads, Liam McCarthy tickles this off his pads to fine leg for a leg bye.

Bouncer, around off, Andy McBrine guides this towards the third man region for a single.

FOUR! Blair looks to go short again but this one doesn't climb enough on the batter. Andy McBrine steps inside yet again and pulls this flat to the left of the long leg fielder for four runs.

Short and around the leg side, Andy McBrine leaves it.

NO BALL AND FOUR! Blair has overstepped here as he looks to dig one short around off, Andy McBrine moves away to his leg side and opens up the off side. Cuts this through the point region for a boundary. No Ball from Blair.

Good length, down the leg side, Andy McBrine steps inside the line and goes for a flick but misses out.

Blair goes top-deck, around off, going across the batter. Andy McBrine backs away and looks for the upper cut but misses out.

Full and wide of off, Liam McCarthy shoulders his arms at it.

Hard length, around off, Liam McCarthy opens the face of his bat and guides this to the right of the backward point fielder for no run.

Full and wide down the leg side, Liam McCarthy goes for a flick and misses.

Back of a length, around off, Andy McBrine jumps up on his toes and pushes this through point for a single.

Good length, around off, Andy McBrine pushes this to cover-point.

Full and wide outside off, Andy drives this to covers.

Bouncer, on leg, Liam McCarthy ducks down uncomfortably and leaves it.

Short-pitched delivery, around the pads, Andy McBrine tickles this towards fine leg for a single.

Back of a length, around the pads, Liam McCarthy works this through square leg for a single.

Short and around off, Liam McCarthy gets up on his toes and guides this to backward point.

Liam McCarthy walks out next to bat.

OUT! CAUGHT! The change in bowling has worked for the visitors. Blair bowls it from around the stumps, darts a short one around the leg side, Thomas Mayes gets inside the line and pulls this one. Thomas hits this well but straight into the hands of Ben Sears at the deep square leg fence. Ireland are 165 for 8 now.

Back of a length, around the leg side, Thomas Mayes comes inside the line and goes for a flick but misses.

Blair Tickner has been introduced into the attack for the first time after the Tea break.

Much fuller, on middle and leg, Thomas Mayes rolls his wrists and flicks it to deep fine leg for a single.

Pitches it up, does Smith, on off, Thomas Mayes pushes it to the left of the bowler.

Back of a length, going down the leg side, Thomas Mayes swings and misses.

Peach of a delivery! Good length, on off, angling in, but nips it away from the batter. Thomas Mayes attempts to defend to his front, but gets nicked off the outside edge. The ball rolls toward the right of the backward point fielder.

Short on middle, McBrine pulls it to deep backward square leg for a comfortable single.

Pitches it a touch fuller, on off, McBrine goes deep into the crease and clips it to the right of the deep backward square leg for a couple of runs.

Back of a length, just outside off, Thomas Mayes defends it down from his back foot.

Short of a length, on off, Thomas Mayes pulls it to square leg.

Good-length delivery, on off, Thomas Mayes knocks it to the left of the bowler.

On a length, on leg, Thomas Mayes clips it wide of the square leg fielder and gets a brace.

Hard-length delivery, shaping in, on middle and leg, Andy McBrine clips it to deep square leg for one.

Angling in, around off, on a nagging length, Andy McBrine blocks it to the right of the bowler.

On a length, on off, Thomas Mayes works it to the leg side.

FOUR LEG BYES! Good-length delivery, angling around the pads of the batter. Thomas Mayes swings and misses. However, the ball just brushes the pads of the batter and bounces away toward deep fine leg for four runs.

Thomas Mayes walks up next as the new batter at the crease.

OUT! TAKEN! The Kiwis were desperate to break this seventh-wicket partnership of Ireland, and guess who stepped up? It's Nathan Smith yet again, bagging his sixth wicket. This is yet another sharp bouncer, from Smith, angling into the batter's lane. Mark Adair doesn't duck this time, he looks to tuck it, but the ball gets some assistance from the deck as it gets some extra bounce. The ball hits the high end of the bat, and it loops toward the left of the keeper, Tom Blundell, who takes the sitter safely into his gloves. This is a huge wicket for the Kiwis as they have broken the 116-run partnership. Ireland trail by 336 runs.

Short and just outside off, Mark Adair looks for an upper cut but misses.

On a length, on off, Mark Adair blocks it to the leg side.

FOUR BYES! Ireland won't mind these free runs. Back of a length, angling down the leg side. Mark Adair looks to pull it away, but misses. The ball gets some late swing and goes past the left of the keeper, before the ball driblles toward deep fine leg for four runs.

Back of a length, on off, Mark Adair rides the bounce and tucks it to deep square leg for a single. 150 up for Ireland!

Pitches it up, does Foulkes, just outside off, but nips in sharply, moving down the leg side. Mark Adair once again shuffles across the stumps and misses his flick. Adair needs to stay calm at this moment.

Short, just outside off, Mark Adair makes a leave at it.

Swing and a miss! Back of a length, on middle. Mark Adair shuffles way outside off and looks for a wild swing, but misses.

Back of a length, just outside off, McBrine rolls his wrists and opens the face of the bat to steer it to deep backward point for a single.

On a length, around off, McBrine stabs it to cover.

Pitches it up, does Smith, outside off. Mark Adair leans on the delivery and punches it well from the middle of the bat, but straight toward the cover fielder.

Oh, gets the inside edge now! Full-length delivery, pitching outside off but slanting in sharply. Mark Adair punches it from the inner part of his bat to mid on.

Pitching it on middle and leg, shaping in, down the leg side, Mark Adair nudges it to the left of mid-wicket.

Just outside the off pole, on a good length, Mark Adair knocks it to cover.

Sharp bouncer, angling toward the batter's body lane. Mark Adair ducks underneath.

Back of a length, outside off, Mark Adair opens the face of the bat and punches it toward the left of the deep point fielder for a couple of runs.

Good-length delivery, just outside off, Andy Balbirnie eases it to cover. Third maiden over for Zakary Foulkes!

Slanting in, down the leg side, aiming at the pads of the batter. Andy McBrine looks to block it on his front foot, but misses and gets pinged on his front pad.

Back of a length, outside off, Andy McBrine steers it to cover.

Hard-length delivery, on off, McBrine stabs it to cover.

On a good length, outside off, Andy McBrine looks to drive it gently through cover but misses on the outside edge.

A touch fuller, way outside off, Andy McBrine prods to cover the stumps and lifts his willow up to make a leave.

Good-length delivery, attacking the off and middle stump, Mark Adair stays deep inside the crease and nudges it to mid-wicket.

Smith drags his length back a shade and bowls around off. McBrine lifts his front leg up and pulls it down with style to deep square leg for a single.

On a length, on middle, Andy McBrine rests it down.

Short, on middle, Andy McBrine ducks under it.

Halt! The Kiwis are unhappy with the shape of the ball, and out comes the ball gauge from the pocket of the umpire. However, the ball goes through without any problem.

Hard-length delivery, on middle, Andy McBrine blocks it down the deck.

Pitches it up, does Smith, on off, Andy McBrine eases it to cover.

Short of a length, outside off, Mark Adair sits down and lets it travel to the keeper.

Back of a length, around off, Mark Adair knocks it to cover. Both the batters set off for a single, but as they see the cover fielder move swiftly to his left to get the ball, the batters cancels the plan of taking the run.

A tad fuller, on off, Mark Adair works it to mid-wicket.

A bit slower than usual, on a good length, outside off, not much movement on this delivery. Mark Adair looks to block it away from his body but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Bumper, but fires it way down the leg side, Mark Adair lets it through.

Back of a length, slanting in, around the hips of the batter, Andy McBrine tucks it to square leg and gets a single.

Zakary Foulkes will bowl from the other end.

On a nagging length, on off, Mark Adair defends it down the track.

Good-length delivery, shaping in, on middle and leg, Mark Adair tucks it to square leg.

Good-length delivery, around off, Andy McBrine stabs it wide of cover and gets a single.

Back of a length, on off, Andy Balbirnie dabs it to cover.

Full, outside off, Andy McBrine eases it to cover.

FOUR! Great start after the break. Full-length delivery, around middle, Andy McBrine rolls his wrists and flicks it through mid-wicket for four more runs.

We are back for the evening session! The umpires are marching toward the center of the park. The players of New Zealand have taken their fielding positions. Andy McBrine and Mark Adair will be looking to find a good start after the Tea break. Nathan Smith will start with the proceedings with two slips and a gully. Let's play...

... DAY 2, SESSION 3 ...

Ireland fights back - The two lower-order fighters are refusing to simply roll over. Adair has shown his calm to successfully defend his wicket, while McBrine has combined grit with some elegant strokeplay to frustrate a New Zealand attack that will feel the innings should already be over. McBrine is looking sturdy with his back foot strokes, and as the game progressed, he had more clarity in his shot selection. McBrine got his sixth Test half-century moments before the Tea break was taken, and right now he and Adair have a partnership of 101 runs. After the Tea break, it would be interesting to see how the Kiwi bowlers shape up to conclude on Day 2 in this final session. Join us at 3.30 pm GMT to witness the action in the last session of Day 2!

Adair and McBrine to rescue - Ireland trailed by 456 runs coming into this session, and despite the best efforts of a few individuals to hang around, the New Zealand bowlers kept the pressure suffocating and the scoreboard moving painfully slowly for the hosts.  The one genuine bright spot of the afternoon has been the partnership between Mark Adair and Andy McBrine down the batting order. Ireland were 38 for 6 in 10 overs, but it has been the seventh wicket partnership that is giving the Irish supporters hope.

TEA ON DAY 2 - What a session it was for both sides! The Kiwi bowlers started magnificently, picking two of the wickets before the Lunch break, and it's not a surprise that they kept that pressure on the hosts even after the Lunch break. Ireland resumed the afternoon session, facing the monumental task of batting against a New Zealand attack brimming with pace and confidence. The top order had already crumbled under pressure during the morning, and the second session offered little early respite. Wickets continued to fall as New Zealand's seamers, led by the rapid duo Nathan Smith and Zakary Foulkes, relentlessly exploited the surface, exposing Ireland's fragile batting lineup by nipping the deliveries back and forth, utilizing the overcasted condition exceptionally well.

Back of a length, around off, Mark Adair defends this off his back foot.

Short and around off, Mark Adair keeps his guard down and leaves it.

LEG BYE! Good length, going down the leg side. Andy McBrine gets it thumped off his pads towards fine leg for a leg bye.

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

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

Partnership of 100 comes up with this single between Mark and Andy. Full and on the pads, Mark Adair flicks this towards deep backward square leg for a single.

Pushed through around off, Andy McBrine dabs this towards covers. A maiden to begin his Test career with the ball for Dean Foxcroft.

Full and wide of off, Andy McBrine jams this one.

Tossed up, on off, Andy McBrine blocks this out.

Fuller around off, Andy McBrine blocks this off his front foot.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

Bouncer, around off, Mark Adair ducks down.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

Good length, on off, Mark Adair keeps it out.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

Good length, around off, Andy McBrine keeps it out.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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...

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

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.

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

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.

Back of a length, around off, shaping away from the batter. Mark Adair defends this off his back foot towards cover-point.

Good length, around off, Mark Adair pushes this towards point for no run.

Maiden for Blair Tickner. Short and around off, shaping back into the batter. Andy McBrine jams this out.

Full and wide of off, Andy McBrine pushes this towards the covers region.

Blair hits the hard length, angling it down the leg side. Andy gets it edged off the inside edge and the ball deflects onto the pads of Andy before rolling towards square leg.

Much fuller, on off, Andy McBrine pushes it to the left of the bowler. Blair Tickner does well to slide to his left and gets some hand on it to make a half stop.

Blair goes full and on middle and leg, Andy flicks this to mid-wicket for no run.

Hard length, around off, Andy McBrine gets right behind the line of the ball and keeps it out.

Back of a length, around off, Mark Adair looks to block this out but gets squared up and ends up edging this off the outside edge just in front of the second slip fielder.

Back of a length, on middle, Andy McBrine pulls it to deep square leg for a single.

Good-length delivery, outside off, Andy McBrine cuts it to point.

FOUR! Drives it nonchalantly this time. The more McBrine faces deliveries, the more clarity he gets on the shot selections. Good-length delivery, outside off, Andy McBrine drives it nearly through cover for four more runs.

On a length, on off, Andy McBrine blocks it away, to the off side.

FOUR! Excellent shot! Back of a length, just outside off, Andy McBrine stabs it through cover point and gets another boundary.

Fullish, outside off, Mark Adair opens the face of the bat and steers it to point.

Bangs a bouncer now, on middle and leg. Mark Adair detects the short delivery and ducks right away to make a leave at it.

Fires this time on a nagging length, just outside off, Mark Adair dabs it to cover.

On a good length, just outside off, Mark Adair pushes it to cover.

Back of a length, angling in, around the hips of the batter. Andy McBrine pulls it to deep fine leg and gets a single.

Pitches it up, does Tickner, on off, Andy McBrine defends it back to the bowler.

DRINKS BREAK! It has been a phase of play that has been dominated by the visitors. After posting a mammoth total and declaring right before the break, the visitors have breezed past the batting unit of Ireland in the post-Lunch session as well. The top and middle order of the home side has been sent back packing, and it is now the duo of their pace spearhead Mark Adair and spin maestro Andy McBrine to show some fight. Ireland needs a massive rescue act just to stay in the game, while NZ will be eager to wrap up the innings quickly.

That one stays low! On the back of a good length, outside off, Mark Adair looks to punch it away, but gets beaten on the inside edge as the ball skids through after pitching on the deck.

On a good length, on off, Mark Adair rests it down.

Pitches it up, does Sears, angling in, Andy McBrine fails to connect his flick and thumps on his pad, before the ball rolls to left of square leg. Leg bye taken.

On a length, on off and middle, Mark Adair works it toward wide mid on and gets a single.

A tad fuller, on off, Mark Adair defends it from his front foot.

Good-length delivery, shaping away from the off stump. Mark Adair shoulder arms at it.

Change! Ben Sears has been introduced into the attack.

Back of a length, outside off, Andy McBrine cuts it but straight to the point fielder.

Full, just outside off, Mark Adair drives it down the ground. The mid on has a chase at it and slides to cut it to three runs.

On a length, on middle and leg, Mark Adair blocks it down.

FOUR! Lucky escape for Adair. A sharp bouncer, on off and middle. Mark Adair arches backward and goes down to make a leave, but the ball kisses the willow, which was faced uppishly, before the ball loops over the slip cordon for four runs.

Yorker, just outside the off pole. Mark Adair blocks it down.

Good-length delivery, around off, swinging away. Mark Adair looks to push it through cover but gets beaten.

Back of a length, into the corridor of uncertainty. Andy McBrine defends it late to the left of the fourth slip fielder.

FOUR! Oh, gloriously driven by McBrine! Ireland is looking a bit more settled now and all thanks to this man. Smith pushes it length more fuller, outside off. Andy McBrine gets on his front foot, leans on the delivery and drives it crisply through cover for four runs.

A touch fuller, attacking the off stump. Andy McBrine brings out his solid defence.

On a length, on off, Andy McBrine eases it to cover.

Good length delivery, shaping away from the off stump, Mark Adair pushes it late toward the right of the gully fielder and gets a single.

Fuller in length, on off and middle. Mark Adair nudges it toward mid-wicket.

FOUR! Andy McBrine is looking solid on his back foot stroke. Back of a length, outside off. Andy McBrine stays on his back foot and punches it to beat the left of the diving point fielder for four runs.

Back of a length, outside off, Mark Adair pushes it to the point fielder. However, the fielder fumbles a bit and the batter gets a single.

Bumper, on middle, Mark Adair attempts to upper cut it but fails to make the connection.

Full toss, on the pads, Mark Adair swiftly flicks it to the left of the deep backward square leg and gets a couple of runs.

Much fuller, outside off. Mark Adair crouches and looks to jam it away through cover, but gets beaten on the outside edge.

NO BALL! Tickner needs to correct his run-up here. Pitches it up, on middle and leg, Mark Adair clips it to short mid-wicket.

Full, on off, Mark Adair pushes it to short mid-wicket.

Blair Tickner has been introduced into the attack. On a nagging length, on off and middle, Mark Adair rests it to the right of the bowler. Uh oh, the buzzer goes off asTickner has overstepped. Not a great start.

Good-length delivery, on off, Andy McBrine blocks it to the off side.

On a length, on off, shaping in, Andy McBrine misses his clip and it just burshes off his pad, going down the leg side.

Pushes it length fuller, does Smith, on off, Mark Adair flicks it to deep sqaure leg for a single.

Back of a length, on off, Mark Adair tries to eases it away but gets an inside edge and wears on his pad.

Fuller, on off, Andy McBrine pushes it to the left of the short cover fielder and gets a single.

EDGED AND DROPPED! Good-length delivery, outside off. Andy McBrine looks to punch it from his back foot to through cover, but gets a thick outside edge. The ball flies to the right of Daryl Mitchell in the first slip region. He dives to his right to pouch it but it wobbles off his hands as he is about to land sideways.

Bumper, slanting it down the leg side, Mark Adair ducks underneath and makes a leave. Second maiden over for Zakary Foulkes!

Back of a length, down the leg side, Mark Adair looks to swipe at it but misses.

On a length, on off, Mark Adair keeps it out.

Good length, on off, Mark Adair defends it to gully.

On a good length, outside off, swinging in, Mark Adair looks to slog it but gets beaten on the inside edge.

Back of a length, angling down the leg side, Mark Adair looks to swing it away but misses.

Good-length delivery, on off, Andy McBrine looks to push it away but gets beaten.

FOUR BYES! A sharp bouncer, but angling it down the leg side. Andy McBrine sways away and makes a leave. The keeper dives to his right but fails to glove it, as the ball bounces away to deep fine leg fence for four runs.

FOUR! That's quite a shot! Hard-length delivery, slanting in, around off. Andy McBrine rocks back and stabs it into the gap between cover and point for four runs.

Back of a length, on off, Andy McBrine dabs it with soft hands toward the off side and sets off for a single. Adair rightfully rejects the call and sends Andy back to his crease.

Good-length delivery, on off, nips it away from the batter. Andy McBrine looks to defend on his back foot but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Nathan Smith scoots from around the wicket to the left-hander. Bangs hard on the length, angling in, on middle and leg. Andy McBrine tucks it to the leg side.

Now that one stays low! On a good length, on off, angling in. Mark Adair blocks it from the outer part of his bat toward cover.

Good length, around off, Andy McBrine pushes this through the off side and rotates the strike.

Back of a length, around off, Andy McBrine dabs this back onto his pads.

FOUR! Short and wide outside the off stump yet again by the bowler, Andy McBrine gets up on his toes and cuts this through the left of the fielder at gully for four. 50 comes up for the home side.

Short and wide of off, Andy McBrine goes for a cut outside his off stump but misses out.

Full-length delivery, on off, Andy McBrine, with no footwork, blocks it down the deck.

Angling in, on a length, on off. Mark Adair rocks back and blocks it to mid off.

A tad fuller, outside off, Mark Adair looks to drive it but gets beaten. It's a front foot no ball from Nathan Smith.

Bangs it short, on off, Mark Adair ducks under it.

Back of a length, on leg, Mark Adair turns it through square leg for a brace.

FOUR! That's a good shot! Nathan Smith keeps it full and outside off. Mark Adair moves to his off side and knocks it firmly down to long on for a boundary.

A tad fuller, outside off, Andy McBrine taps it to cover for a quick single.

Nice and full, targeting the stumps, Andy McBrine blocks it to short cover.

Sways it down leg, Mark Adair looks to flick it but misses.

Another one bites the dust. Mark Adair is the new batter.

OUT! LBW! Another one departs and Zakary Foulkes has a wicket on his name now. He nails a pinpoint yorker, on leg, Harry Tector stays back and looks to flick it, but misses. The ball goes on to hit his shoes. A loud appeal and the finger goes up again. Harry Tector walks back, scoring 16 off 32 balls. Wickets are falling one after another, and Ireland desperately needs someone to anchor the innings here on.

Past the edge! Hard length, outside off, with a hint of away movement. Harry Tector looks to drive it but misses.

Down the leg side again, Harry Tector looks to flick it but wears it on his pads. The ball rolls back to the bowler. Dot.

FOUR LEG BYES! Bonus runs. Zakary Foulkes sways it down the leg side, Harry Tector looks to flick it but misses. The keeper fails to stop it as the ball races away to the fence at fine leg.

Angling in, on a length, on off. Harry Tector blocks it to short cover.

Back of a length, on off, Andy McBrine gets on his toes and blocks it back to the bowler.

Ireland lost their fifth wicket as well and they are not looking great. It has got a bit cloudy and the ball is doing a bit and the NZ pacers are certainly making the most of it.

Andy McBrine is the next batter in.

OUT! BOWLED' EM! Nathan Smith gets a five-wicket haul in just five overs. He once again bowls brilliantly, pitching on a nagging length, just outside off, and nips it back, attacking the stumps. Lorcan Tucker looks to defend it on his front foot, but the ball zips past between the gap between bat and pad and rattles the top of the middle stump. Maiden five-wicket haul for Smith.

Down the leg side, Lorcan Tucker looks to flick it but misses.

Another one outside off, Lorcan Tucker let's it be.

Hard length, outside off, Lorcan Tucker leaves it alone.

Curtis Campher departs for a golden duck. Lorcan Tucker walks in to bat now.

OUT! LBW! Nathan Smith with his fourth wicket. He is on fire. Full and straight, targeting the stumps. Curtis Campher lunges and looks to drive it, but misses and wears it on his pads. A loud appeal and the finger goes up straightaway. Curtis Campher departs for a golden duck, and Ireland are in a spot of bother. The replay later shows that Curtis Campher was down the line, and perhaps the impact could have been outside off. Nonetheless, there is no DRS for this Test and we have to go with the umpire's call.

A tad fuller, on leg, Harry Tector flicks it to mid-wicket.

Hard length, on off, Harry Tector blocks it solidly off the front foot.

FOUR! Edged, just short! Back of a length, on off, shaping away a touch. Harry Tector tries to block it with soft hands but gets a thick outside edge. The ball falls short of Daryl Mitchell at first slip and races away to the fence at third man.

Angling in, on a length, on leg. Harry Tector blocks it to mid on.

Beaten! Hard length, just outside off, shaping away. Harry Tector has a waft at it but misses.

FOUR! That's a good shot. This will give him some confidence. Full, on off, Harry Tector leans on and cracks a drive through covers for a boundary.

Nathan Smith strikes again. Curtis Campher walks in to bat now.

OUT! TIMBER! Wicket number 3 for Nathan Smith. Back of a length, just outside off, and the ball nips in and stays a tad low. Andy Balbirnie moves forward and looks to block it but gets beaten on the inside edge as the ball rattles over the top of middle. Ireland lose their third and they are in some trouble now.

Beaten! That just missed the top of off. Back of a length, just outside off, Andy Balbirnie looks to block it but gets beaten on the outside edge.

FOUR BYES! Bonus runs. Nathan Smith sways it down the leg side, Andy Balbirnie looks to flick it but misses. The keeper fails to stop it as the ball races away to the fence at fine leg.

Angling in, a tad fuller, on leg. Andy Balbirnie flicks it through square leg for a brace. There was nearly a catch for the fielder at short leg.

Keeps it full again, outside off, Andy Balbirnie pushes it to the cover fielder.

Nathan Smith starts with a fuller one, on off, Andy Balbirnie blocks it to the fielder at short leg.

Welcome back for the second session of Day 2. The umpires and the players are out in the middle. Harry Tector and Andy Balbirnie will resume their innings. They desperately need a long partnership. Nathan Smith will start with the ball. Let's go...

... DAY 2, SESSION 2 ...

The hosts have a mountain to climb - Skipper Andrew Balbirnie and Harry Tector are currently on strike, showing some grit to guide Ireland to the lunch break at a shaky 20/2. The hosts desperately need a massive, heroic stand from these two to rebuild the innings and somehow get Ireland back into this game. They trail by a mammoth 470 runs. Can they produce something special against a red hot bowling attack? We will find out soon. Join us right after the lunch break at 1.10 pm GMT for all the live action.

Nathan Smith's double-wicket nightmare - Ireland’s response started in the worst possible fashion under relentless pressure from the Kiwi bowlers. Nathan Smith turned the game on its head immediately, bowling a phenomenal first over that ended as a double-wicket maiden. He extracted lethal movement to dismiss Stephen Doheny and Cade Carmichael for ducks, leaving the Irish top order completely shell-shocked within the first six balls of the innings.

The Kiwi declaration - New Zealand started their day from an overnight score of 333/5, with Tom Blundell and Dean Foxcroft continuing to punish the Irish bowling attack. The duo stitched together a superb 158-run partnership before Blundell suffered an unfortunate dismissal, walking back after a magnificent 186. The Blackcaps delayed their declaration to let the debutant Foxcroft reach his maiden Test ton, but heartbreak struck when he fell on a nervous 98. New Zealand finally declared their innings at a colossal 490/8.

Back of a length once again, outside off, Harry Tector stands tall and defends the inside edge line. That will be LUNCH on Day 2!

Back of a length, around off, Harry Tector looks to defend, but induces an outside edge. The ball bounces off toward the right of the gully fielder and the batter gets a brace.

Slows it up, outside off, Harry Tector shoulders arms at it.

Pitches it up, does Foulkes, on off, Harry Tector eases it toward the vast gap between cover and point and gets a couple of runs.

Back of a length, around off, Andy McBrine looks to defend but gets a thick outside edge. The ball beats the diving second slip fielder and the batter gets a single.

Full, around middle, Andy Balbirnie knocks it to the left of mid on and gets a couple of runs.

Back of a length, on middle, Harry Tector bunts it to the leg side.

NO BALL! Nathan Smith has overstepped, and Ireland gets a bonus run. Fuller, on off, Harry Tector blocks it away.

Fuller, down the leg side. Harry Tector misses his flick and wears on his front pad, before the ball rolls to the left of the keeper.

Angling in, around middle and leg, fuller in length. Harry Tector looks to flick it but misses and gets pinged on his pad. Appeal goes round, but the umpire remains unmoved. It seems the trajectory of the ball is missing down the leg side.

On a length, outside off, Harry Tector makes a leave at it.

Pitches it up, does Smith, outside off, Andy Balbirnie eases it to the left of cover for a single.

FOUR! Now that's quite a shot! Fullish, around the fifth stump. Andy Balbirnie lunges toward the pitch of the delivery and drives it gently through cover for four runs.

FOUR! Streaky! Full-length delivery, outside off. Harry Tector looks to defend it to cover, but gets a thick outside edge. The ball stays low and dribbles past the gully region and the slip cordon for four runs.

Beaten! Pitches it on a hard length, just outside off, swinging it a bit away, which straightens the delivery. Harry Tector looks to block it to his front, but it zips past the outside edge.

On a length, around off, Harry Tector knocks it to the cover fielder.

Zakary Foulkes drags his length back, on off and middle. Andy Balbirnie hops and dabs it to the cover region for a single.

Fuller in length, just outside off, Andy Balbirnie shoulder at it.

Good-length delivery, around off, Andy Balbirnie rides the bounce and dabs it to backward point.

Slight halt! Harry Tector is having some discomfort in the area around his right thumb. The physio has applied some magic spray and bandages. Tector is looking good to continue.

Angling in, on a nagging length, around middle, Harry Tector tucks it to mid-wicket.

Smith fires it on the good length once again, just outside off. Harry Tector blocks it down the track.

Edged but doesn't carry! Good-length delivery, outside off, swinging it away from the batter Harry Tector prods and looks to defend, but induces an outside edge. The ball flies flat and drops much short and right of Kane Williamson in the third slip region. He does well to dive and make a stop.

On a hard length this time from Smith, on off and middle, Harry Tector defends it back to the bowler.

A touch fuller, outside off, Harry Tector shoulders at it.

Pitches it up, does Smith, on off. Andy Balbirnie pushes it to the left of the short cover fielder and sets off for a quick single. The fielder in the region has a shy at the keeper's end but misses. However, Tector is well inside the crease. That's good running between the wicket.

Back of a length, outside off, swinging in. Harry Tector lifts his willow up and makes a leave at it.

Bangs the deck hard, outside off, Harry Tector plays the inside line and gets beaten with a large gap.

Angling in, on a length, on off, Harry Tector blocks it back to the bowler.

Short and wide, Harry Tector has a waft at it but misses.

Back of a length, on leg, Andy Balbirnie gets in his toes and tucks it to mid-wicket for a single.

Zakary Foulkes starts with a length ball, on off, Andy Balbirnie taps it to backward point.

A double-wicket maiden from Nathan Smith. Harry Tector walks up next. Also, Zakary Foulkes will operate from the other end for New Zealand.

OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! This is exceptional bowling from Nathan and a great start for the Kiwis. Smith bowls it on a good length yet again, angling it in, towards the off stump, but swings it pretty late. Cade Carmichael falls for the trap as he looks to defend to his front foot, but gets nicked on the outside edge, before the ball flies toward Devon Conway in the second slip.  A double wammy to start for Nathan Smith.

That's a beauty from Nathan Smith! A touch fuller, pitching it just outside off and swinging it away. Cade Carmichael gets on his front foot to defend, but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Back of a length, on middle, Cade Carmichael rests it down the track.

A late leave from Cade Carmichael! Good-length delivery, outside off, angling in a shade. Cade Carmichael looks push it away, but leaves it away at the very last moment.

A perfect start for New Zealand. Cade Carmichael is the next batter.

OUT! LBW! Yesterday, it was Tom Latham who fell on the second ball, and now it's Stephen Doheny. A tad fuller, on middle and leg, Stephen Doheny stays back and looks to flick it, but misses as the ball hits his pads. A loud appeal and the finger goes up straightaway. Stephen Doheny walks back for a duck.

Nathan Smith starts with a length ball, on off, Stephen Doheny pushes it to the point fielder.

OUT! TAKEN! Oh, Dean Foxcroft was just two runs away from his debut century in Test cricket, but what an inning it was from the 28-year-old. McBrine pitches it fuller and around middle. Foxcroft gets down on one knee to sweep it, but it hits the upper part of the bat. The ball lobs toward short fine leg, where Thomas Mayes takes a sitter. New Zealand have declared their inning on 490 for 8.

Flighted, around off, Dean steps across and sweeps this towards long leg for a couple. Dean Foxcroft moves to 98.

BYE! Full and wide of off, Zakary Foulkes looks for the ramp but misses. The keeper fails to gather this as well and the batters take a bye.

Tossed up, around off, Zakary Foulkes tucks this towards the bowler.

Short of a length, around off, Dean Foxcroft shuffles away from the stumps and hammers this to wide long off for a single.

Quicker one, on the pads, Dean Foxcroft tucks this to mid-wicket.

OUT! NATHAN SMITH IS RUN OUT! Ireland get their seventh wicket, but the danger man is still out there. Tector pitches it up, fuller, outside off, Dean Foxcroft looks to sweep it but wears on the front pad, before the ball rolls toward cover. There is an appeal for LBW, but the umpire shakes his head. However, the batter wants to get a single. Smith responds late but sets off as well. Jake Egan is the man who has a shy to the keeper, and Lorcan Tucker does the rest to hit the stumps. Smith drags his bat inside the crease, but the third umpire sees that Smith is away from his home when the ball hits the stumps.

Fullish, outside off, Nathan Smith sweeps it to deep square leg for a single.

FOUR! SHOT! Fuller, on off, Nathan Smith smokes it through mid-wicket and gets another four runs.

Is it a dropped chance? It certainly looks like. Short again, outside off, Nathan Smith looks to cut, but gets nicked on the outside edge. The keeper closes his gloves way before time, and wobbles it to his front. He dives, but fails to get it second time.

Short, outside off, Nathan Smith fails to cut it away.

Full, outside off, Dean Foxcroft drills it to long off for a single.

Andy McBrine once again drags his length back, on off and middle, Nathan Smith goes deep into the crease and tucks it toward the vast gap between deep square leg and deep mid-wicket. Both the fielders converge toward the rolling ball and because of a slight miscommunication, both the fielders collide. The batter has enough to get a double.

Short, on off, Dean Foxcroft sweeps it to deep square leg for a single.

Andy McBrine sees the batter moving down the leg side, so he follows the batter and pitches it a touch fuller. Dean Foxcroft cramps for room, but does well to stab it toward the left of the cover fielder for a couple of runs.

Shortish again, on off, Dean Foxcroft comes down the track and pushes it to cover.

Pitches it up, does McBrine, on middle, turning in. Nathan Smith clips it to square leg and gets a single.

Short, on off, Dean Foxcroft rocks back and pushes it through point for a single.

FOUR! Short and punished! Reuben Wilson drags his length back and offers a bouncer on middle. Nathan Smith stand stall and pulls it well toward the deep square leg fence for four more runs.

Once again Wilson fires it fuller, but angles it down the leg side. Nathan Smith misses his flick.

Good-length delivery, outside off, Nathan Smith punches straight at the cover fielder.

Fuller, but sprays it way down the leg side. Nathan Smith makes a leave at it.

FOUR! Oh, this is a glorious shot from Nathan Smith. Pitches it up, does Wilson, just outside off. Nathan Smith lunges halfway, but uses his bottom hand to loft it over the mid off fielder for four more runs.

Back of a length, on middle and leg, Dean Foxcroft tucks it to square leg and gets across for a run.

Quicker one, on middle and off, Dean Foxcroft nudges this through the leg side for a single.

Fuller on the pads, Nathan Smith milks this through square leg for a single.

Darted on the pads, Dean Foxcroft tucks this through square leg for one.