The Blackcaps had only to take nine wickets as Curtis Campher joined the long list of injured players when he took a horrible blow from Ben Sears, the tourists fastest bowler, which has left him with a suspected broken left hand.

Stephen Doheny and Lorcan Tucker enhanced their personal reputations in Belfast on Friday but were unable to prevent Ireland slumping to an innings and 79 runs defeat in their one-off Test against New Zealand.

Andy McBrine performed his now familiar rebuilding act for Ireland in Belfast but the all-rounder’s sixth Test match half-century wasn’t enough to prevent the home side being asked to follow on by New Zealand.

The four-day Test at Stormont looks like it will be one day too many for Ireland who will need 256 runs on day three to avoid an innings defeat.

A stunning spell of fast bowling by Nathan Smith blew away the Irish top order at Stormont yesterday, leaving the hosts on the brink of a heavy defeat to New Zealand in the one-off Test match.

IT was a day Reuben Wilson will never forget. The teenage fast bowler yesterday became the 663rd man to make his debut for Ireland, and the very first to do so in a Test match.

Liam McCarthy enjoyed a stunning start to his Test match career in Belfast yesterday holding a diving catch at mid-wicket and then claiming the prize wicket of New Zealand superstar Kane Williamson.

New Zealand hold the upper hand after day one of the one-off Test at Stormont. No surprise in that but with three Test debutants in the Ireland bowling attack, to keep such a powerful batting line-up to less than four runs an over on a good pitch was a very satisfactory effort.

Ireland captain Andy Balbirnie is expecting New Zealand to provide the stiffest examination yet of his side’s credentials when their one-off Test match gets underway today in Belfast.

Red ball cricket is dying fast in most parts of the world, and Ireland is no different.

THE New Zealanders are in Belfast this week to play their first Test match against Ireland. It should be a memorable occasion, but not nearly as memorable as their very first visit here back in 1937.

Matthew Humphreys is counting on home comforts as Ireland prepare to face New Zealand in Belfast in a one-off Test.

Ireland face New Zealand in a rare home Test match this week. Since the inaugural five dayer in June 2018 there has only been one other, in Stormont two years ago, so fans of the longest format will be flocking back to the Belfast venue from Wednesday.

Teenager Reuben Wilson has been named in a 14-strong Ireland squad to take on New Zealand in Belfast next week and will become the youngest Irishman to win a Test match cap if he makes the XI.

Jake Egan is one of two uncapped players named – the other is U19 international pace bowler Reuben Wilson – although Tom Mayes and Liam McCarthy are also in competition for a Test debut.

Andy Balbirnie will have a new opening partner for next week’s one-off Test match against New Zealand in Belfast with injured veteran Paul Stirling certain to be ruled out of the four-day game at Stormont.

The squads have been named for next week’s Emerald Challenge game at Malahide and the selectors have split the teams into a North (Strikers) v South (Raiders) contest for what is the Ireland players only red-ball action ahead of the Test match against New Zealand

CRICKET Ireland has decided to go ahead with hosting a five-match series with Afghanistan despite its CEO talking of her ‘moral discomfort’ and ‘abhorrence’ at how that country oppresses women and girls.

CRICKET Ireland have finally announced their 2026 home fixtures with only a marginally larger list than last year’s much-criticised programme.

In a major slap in the face for Dublin-based supporters, Cricket Ireland has announced a pitiful summer schedule of just eight men’s international matches — spread over 11 days — all to be played in Belfast and Co Tyrone.

IRELAND have confirmed a maiden first Test against New Zealand will be held in Belfast from May 27th to 30th.

Paul Stirling has stepped down as captain of the Ireland T20 side to give his successor — either Lorcan Tucker or Harry Tector — the longest possible time to prepare for the next World Cup in 2028.

PAUL Stirling has stepped down as captain of Ireland’s T20 side after the side’s failed World Cup campaign last month. Stirling will continue to be available as a player and will still captain the one-day international squad.

No decision has been made yet as to who will replace the 35-year-old for the T20 series against world champions India in June, but vice-captain Lorcan Tucker will be favourite, with Harry Tector also in contention for the leadership group.

A disappointing 2026 campaign had at least some good news for Ireland as they secure a place at the 2028 T20 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand thanks to their ICC rankings.

Ireland will fly home from Sri Lanka after their slim chance of reaching the last eight of the T20 World Cup was ended by persistent rain in Kandy, forcing an abandonment of their final match against Zimbabwe without a ball bowled.

Lorcan Tucker had a couple of reasons to be cheerful on the four-hour bus journey from Colombo to Kandy over the weekend, where Ireland will play Zimbabwe in what will probably be their final game at the T20 World Cup.

Forced into a leadership role by the knee injury to Paul Stirling, the Dubliner responded with an unbeaten 94 that drove Ireland to 235-5, their highest score at a World Cup, and the second highest by any side in the history of the event.

Lorcan Tucker produced a Man-of-the-Match display as Ireland kept alive their T20 World Cup hopes with a 96-run demolition of Oman in Colombo.

Paul Stirling has been ruled out of the remainder of the T20 World Cup with a knee ligament injury and will fly home from Colombo to begin his recovery program.

Paul Stirling has been ruled out of the remainder of the T20 World Cup with a knee injury sustained in the heavy loss against Australia on Wednesday. Waringstown's Sam Topping has been called up as his replacement.

Gary Wilson has offered an explanation for Ireland’s fielding woes at the T20 World Cup in Colombo — the assistant coach believes that dropping catches can be catching.

Lorcan Tucker claimed Ireland must remain “competitive and keen” after a 67-run mauling by Australia in Colombo on Wednesday effectively ended their T20 World Cup campaign after just two matches.

Ireland captain Paul Stirling’s World Cup is over after he suffered an injury to his posterior cruciate ligament in the loss to Australia.

At least six spilled chances have left them struggling to reach the quarter-finals when a victory over the hosts was there for the taking.

Facing the hosts Sri Lanka, with their impressive pace bowlers and mystery spinners, is as tricky a start as they could have faced, but the ever-optimistic Paul Stirling will ensure his side goes in with positive thoughts.

Unfortunately for Paul Stirling’s side, and the ‘Blarney Army’ of supporters who have made their way to Colombo for the T20 World Cup, the Boys in Green will face two of that quartet in the next four days.

With the start of the T20 World Cup two days away, where will Ireland find the inspirational individual performances required to beat Sri Lanka on Sunday or Australia next week to give themselves a chance to progress to the quarter finals?

Paul Stirling and his Ireland team landed in Colombo last night with a week to finalise preparations before their crucial opening T20 World Cup match against hosts Sri Lanka on Sunday.

Whisper it quietly, but Ireland appear in good shape ahead of the T20 World Cup that gets underway in Sri Lanka and India next weekend.

Ireland produced a clinical all-round display to beat hosts UAE by 57 runs in the first of their two-game series in Dubai.

Grant Stewart hit three successive sixes in the last over to secure a stunning victory for Italy over Ireland in the dead rubber of their three-match T20 international series.

THERE’S no faulting Ireland’s preparation or efforts, but they just don’t seem to click at T20 World Cups. Only twice in nine tournaments have they reached the second phase, and since 2016 they have lost to associate sides Netherlands, Oman, Namibia and Canada.

Harry Tector unselfishly gave up the chance of a first T20 international century in Dubai on Sunday as Ireland completed a second victory over Italy in their three-match series.

Gareth Delany will likely have a key role to play with bat and ball if Ireland are to progress from the first round  ‘Group of Death’ at next month’s T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka and India.

Ireland has named its 15-man squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup that will be played in India and Sri Lanka from 7 February to 8 March.

Nathan Johns on the story behind Ireland's honours board, and what it means to those featured on it.

The next few months will tell much about the health of Irish cricket with three national sides in major tournaments.