Ireland dominated by New Zealand on day two
Ireland’s Andy Balbirnie is bowled out by Nathan Smith of New Zealand during the Failte Solar International Test Match at Stormont Cricket Ground. Picture: Nick Elliott/Inpho
Ireland trail New Zealand by 246 runs with eight wickets remaining after day two of the Test at Stormont.
Six wickets from Nathan Smith helped the Black Caps dismiss the hosts for 179 after they had earlier declared on 490 for eight.
New Zealand enforced the follow-on and Ireland closed on 65 for two as the visitors dominated ahead of day three on Friday.
After beginning the day on 361-5, New Zealand extended their first-innings total to 490-8 declared, with Tom Blundell producing an outstanding 186 and Dean Foxcroft narrowly missing out on a century on debut with 98. While conditions became increasingly batter-friendly, Ireland continued to fight for breakthroughs and prevented New Zealand from pushing beyond the 500-mark.
The hosts then faced a challenging task with the bat against a disciplined New Zealand seam attack under cloudy Belfast skies.
Ireland’s innings got off to the worst possible start as Nathan Smith struck twice in the opening over to remove Stephen Doheny and Cade Carmichael. From there, the home side were forced onto the back foot, with regular wickets halting any chance of momentum developing.
Despite the difficult circumstances, there were positives for Ireland in the lower order. Mark Adair once again showed his value as an all-rounder with a determined counter-attacking innings of 40, refusing to let New Zealand completely dominate proceedings. He shared a valuable 116-run partnership with Andy McBrine that frustrated the visitors and briefly lifted the Stormont crowd. McBrine also showed composure and his usual resistance during a stubborn stand as he finished unbeaten on 73.
New Zealand swiftly enforced the follow-on and sent Ireland back out to bat in the last session of the day. Ireland's opening batters Balbirnie and Doheny got things moving with some delightful boundary fours as they looked to start well in their second innings. The day finished with Ireland on 61-2, Stephen Doheny with a decent start of 36 with seven fours.
With unfavourable weather reports on Saturday, Ireland will know that to take the match into Day 4 could work in their favour as they look to rescue the game and avoid defeat.
Meanwhile, Hayley Matthews hit an unbeaten 82 as West Indies cruised to an eight-wicket victory over Ireland in the first match of the women’s Tri-Nation series.
Hosts Ireland were forced into batting first and they were reduced to 23 for three inside the powerplay at Clontarf Cricket Club.
Orla Prendergast top scored with 25 and provided a 44-run partnership with Leah Paul but that was as good as it got for Ireland who were bowled out for 103 with 17 overs played.
In reply, Ava Canning claimed the wickets of Deandra Dottin and Qiana Joseph inside the powerplay but captain Matthews did the rest of the job as she slogged 82 runs from 44 balls to take West Indies to their 104 target with over eight overs to spare.
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