New Zealand eased to victory over Ireland in the Men’s International Test Match Series. New Zealand were always strong favourites to win this one and they eased to victory in what was the perfect warm-up for a much tougher challenge against England next week.
Ireland battled away but they were outclassed in a format they rarely play.
Tickner Seals the Win
It’s all over folks and with the injured Curtis Campher not coming out to bat, Reuben Wilson’s dismissal brings an end to the game.
Blair Tickner gets the final wicket with Wilson edging to Daryl Mitchell.
Mark Adair slaps a Ben Sears ball to long-off for a single – the only run from the over.
Reuben Wilson goes for the big hit, gets a top edge and the ball flies over slip to the boundary.
Seven from Blair Tickner’s over.
A maiden from Ben Sears as this match moves towards a finish.
Liam McCarthy slips as he goes for a run and can’t get back in time as Blair Tickner removes the stumps. It came after two fine fours from Mark Adair and four overthrows.
Mark Adair thrashes to the deep mid-wicket boundary off Nathan Smith for another four. Nine runs from the over and it’s time for drinks.
Campher Injury Blow
Another blow for Ireland with Curtis Campher ruled out for the rest of the Test match because a suspected broken hand.
Campher was struck in the hand before lunch and had an x-ray.
Mark Adair swings, connects and there’s just one bounce before the ball skips over the fine-leg boundary.
Adair takes another swipe at a rising Blair Tickner ball and adds two runs before punching to long-on for a second four of the over. That shot brings up 200 for Ireland.
A lucky escape for Mark Adair as an inside edge off Nathan Smith just evades the stumps.
Liam McCarthy is looking very handy with the bat as he sends another great cover drive to the ropes.
Ireland have now surpassed their first-innings score, so that’s something.
Liam McCarthy cuts square for two runs off Zak Foulkes and then a lovely cover drive brings four more. Eight wickets now in the match for the outstanding Nathan Smith as Liam McCarthy comes to the crease. Seven runs from the over including a first for McCarthy.
Tucker’s Half-Century in Vain
Lorcan Tucker goes and with it Irish hopes dwindle.
Tucker skies a short ball from Nathan Smith and Daryl Mitchell takes the catch behind the wicket.
Lorcan Tucker slices a Zak Foulkes delivery to the deep-point boundary and then flicks for a single to register his fifth half-century in Tests.
Mark Adair produces a classy stroke to the long-off boundary off Nathan Smith for a four and the only runs of the over.
Mark Adair hits a fine four to deep point off Zak Foulkes for his first runs since joining Tucker.
Lorcan Tucker slashes Ben Sears through the gully area for four and he’s six runs shy of a half-century.
A good over for Zak Foulkes with three runs conceded but snaffling the vital wicket of Andy McBrine. A 46-run partnership ends as Andy McBrine cuts a Zak Foulkes delivery straight into the hands of Nathan Smith at backward point.
Lorcan Tucker moves on to 37 with classy four off Ben Sears through point. Eight runs come