IRE vs NZ One-off Test Live Commentary - Belfast (27 May 2026)

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Two quick wickets for Ireland, and the Kiwis are in a spot of bother. Good length, on off, and this one shapes away a touch. Daryl Mitchell leans on and looks to block it, but misses. The ball kisses the outside edge of Daryl Mitchell's blade and goes towards the keeper, Lorcan Tucker, who makes no mistake. A short stay for Daryl Mitchell as he makes his way back into the shed.

A hint of outswinger now! Fuller in length, just outside off, nips it a bit away. Tom Blundell jams it to the off side.

No run.

Full-length delivery, on off, Kane Williamson nudges it across the line to short mid-wicket.

Liam McCarthy drags his length back, just outside off. Kane Williamson gets on his toes and punches at it to the left of the backward point fielder for a couple of runs.

Around the off stump, on a good length, Kane Williamson dabs it to cover-point.

Good-length delivery, just outside off, Kane hops and punches at it, but straight to the cover fielder.

WIDE! Way to short, just outside off. Kane Williamson leaves it away.

OUT! LBW! Appeal goes round and up goes the finger of the umpire. This is an exceptional piece of bowling from Liam McCarthy. He pitches it around the sixth stump, on a good length and angling in sharply toward the stumps. Kane Williamson lunges across and looks to nudge it to the leg side, but gets beaten on the inside edge and thumps on the front pad. Kane Williamson departs after scoring 36 off 70 balls. New Zealand are 86 for 3 now. 

Daryl Mitchell gets off the mark. Hard length, on off, Daryl Mitchell gets on his toes and taps it to short cover for a quick single.

Full, around off, Kane pushes it to cover.

Back of a length, around leg, Kane Williamson pulls it to deep fine leg and gets an easy single.

Good-length delivery, just outside off, Rachin Ravindra leans on the delivery, opens the face of the bat and guides it through cover-point for a single.

Fuller in length, around off, Kane pats it with soft hands toward the cover-point and gets a quick single.

Back of a length, around off, Rachin Ravindra rides the bounce and dabs it to point.

Pitches it up, fuller, outside off, Rachin Ravindra shoulders at it.

Full, around off, Rachin Ravindra pushes it to point.

FOUR! The bowler himself should have fielded that. Full-length delivery, on middle and off. Rachin Ravindra gets on his front foot and drives it, showing the full face of the bat toward the bowler. McCarthy fails to field it and the ball rolls away downtown for four runs. 

Short, angling away from the batter. Rachin Ravindra sways away and makes a leave at it.

Short, on middle, Rachin Ravindra pulls it to deep square leg for one.

Back of a length, around off, Kane Williamson gets on his toes and bunts it to backward point.

FOUR! Edged and over. The luck is just not favouring Ireland. Liam McCarthy bangs hard on the good length, slanting it away. Rachin Ravindra looks to pull, but induces the top edge. The ball loops over the slip cordon and bounces away to deep third for four runs.

Overpitched, around the pads of the batter. Rachin Ravindra nudges it toward the right of wide mid on. The fielder dives but fails to make a stop. The mid off fielder back it up and the batter gets enough time to get double.

FOUR! That's an excellent shot from Rachin Ravindra. This is a full-length delivery, around leg. Rachin Ravindra shuffles across the stumps and rolls his wrists, and flicks it to the left of the deep fine leg fielder, who sprints across the turf and offers a dive but fails to get the better. 

Good-length delivery, angling away from the left-hander. Rachin Ravindra lets it travel to the keeper.

Full, outside off, Rachin Ravindra shoulder the delivery.

Shaping in, around middle, on a good length. Rachin Ravindra dabs it to the left of mid on and gets across for a single.

Edged but doesn't carry! Back of a length, just outside off. Kane Williamson thinks that the ball might angling in to attack his body, and for that reason, he looks to tuck it, but induces an outside edge. The ball drops well short of the gully fielder.

Liam McCarthy comes over the wicket and bowls on a good length, slanting in, just outside off. Rachin Ravindra prods on his front foot but leaves it away.

Short of a length, outside off, Rachin Ravindra cuts it to backward point.

On the hard length this time, angling it away from the left-hander. Rachin Ravindra looks to block it, but as he sees the trajectory of the delivery is moving away from him, he withdraws his bat and lets it travel to the keeper.

Back of the good length, on middle, Rachin Ravindra pulls it to deep square leg and gets a single.

Much fuller, wide outside off, swings it a shade away from the wicket. Kane Williamson prods and looks to defend it but gets beaten on the outside edge with a big gap.

Good leave! Back of a length, pitching it well outside off and angling in. Kane Williamson goes deep into the crease and covers the stumps at the same time, to offer no shot at the delivery.

FOUR! That has been put away comfortably by Williamson! Back of a length, on the sixth stump. Kane Williamson rocks back on his back foot and punches it into the vast gap between short cover and point for four runs.

FOUR! Nicely played! Full-length delivery, pitching it outside off, tries to swing it away, but Mayes fails to find any movement. Kane Williamson gets on his front foot and drives it crisply through cover for four more runs.

Back of a length, outside off, Kane Williamson makes a leave at it.

Angling in, around off and middle. Kane Williamson rocks back and blocks it down the deck.

Mayes hits the deck hard, on the good length, just outside off. Kane Williamson pushes it to the right of the backward point fielder, who rolls over his shoulder but fails to make the stop. The batter sees the window and gets a couple of runs, while the fielder gets back on his feet and backtracks to pick the ball. 

Good-length delivery, outside off, Kane Williamson lets it travel to the keeper.

Good length, outside off, shaping away. Kane Williamson leaves the harmless delivery.

Reuben Wilson keeps it on a length again, around the waist. Kane Williamson tucks it through mid-wicket for a single.

That's a beauty from Reuben Wilson! Good length, on off, shaping away a shade. Rachin Ravindra tries to drive it but gets beaten all ends up.

Nice and full from Reuben Wilson, on off, Rachin Ravindra gets forward and blocks it back to the bowler.

Beaten! Pitched up, outside off, with a hint of away movement. Rachin Ravindra gets half forward and looks to block it but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Much fuller, outside off, Rachin Ravindra blocks it to cover-point. 

Edged, short again! Back of a length, outside off, Rachin Ravindra tries to block it but edges it. The ball lands short of the fielder at third slip. Dot.

Thomas Mayes goes full, outside off, Rachin Ravindra looks to block it but gets a blow on his pads. The ball rolls back to the bowler. Dot.

Three runs! Overpitched, outside off, Rachin Ravindra takes a step forward and drives it through mid off. He doesn't connect it quite well. The fielder has a long chase to do as the batters collect three runs.

Back of a length, outside off, Kane Williamson hops a bit and punches it through point for a single. 50 comes up for New Zealand.

Goes fuller, on middle, Rachin Ravindra covers his line and blocks it to the left of the bowler.

Past the edge! Fuller one again, outside off, and it shapes away. Rachin Ravindra looks to drive it but gets beaten on the away movement. 

Too full from Reuben Wilson, on off, Rachin Ravindra pushes it to the mid on fielder who moves to his right and makes a good stop. Dot.

Good length, on middle, Rachin Ravindra flicks it to wide of mid on. Dot again.

Drags his length back, on off, Rachin Ravindra rocks back and punches it to cover. The fielder dives to his right and stops it. Keeps it to a single.

An appeal, turned down. Back of a length, on leg, Kane Williamson tries to flick it but misses and wears it high on his pads. A stifled appeal but nothing from the umpire.

Edged, short! Hard length, on off, with a hint of inward movement. Kane Williamson tries to block it with soft hands but gets an edge. The ball lands just short of the fielder at slip. Dot.

Slightly shorter, outside off, Kane Williamson slices it through backward point for a brace.

Good length, outside off, and it keeps low. Kane Williamson reaches out to it and steers it to the fielder at point. Dot.

TWO LEG BYES! Thomas Mayes sways it down the leg side, Kane Williamson looks to flick it but the ball brushes his pads and rolls towards fine leg. The fielder chases it as the batters collect two leg byes.

Keeps it on the fuller side, outside off, Kane Williamson shoulders arms at it.

This one kept a bit low. Length, outside off, and it keeps low. Kane Williamson leaves it alone again.

Another one outside off, Kane Williamson leaves the harmless delivery.

A tad fuller, targeting the stumps, Kane Williamson blocks it with soft hands towards the point fielder. 

Better line from Reuben Wilson. A tad fuller, just outside off, Rachin Ravindra covers his line and leaves it alone.

SIX! That goes all the way and into the stands! Reuben Wilson bangs it short, on middle, Rachin Ravindra stays in his crease, swivels, and pulls it over deep square leg for a biggie.

Hard length, outside off, Rachin Ravindra leaves it alone.

A tad fuller, targeting the stumps, Rachin Ravindra blocks it solidly back towards the bowler.

A stifled appeal but nothing from the umpire. Back of a length, nipping in from leg. Rachin Ravindra looks to block it but misses and wears it high on the pads. An appeal but turned down.

Reuben Wilson keeps it full, on middle and leg, Rachin Ravindra lunges and flicks it to the fielder at short mid-wicket.

Swing and a miss! Full, sliding down the leg side, Kane Williamson tries to flick it but misses.

Drags his length back, on off, Kane Williamson rocks back and blocks it with soft hands back towards the bowler.

Hard length, outside off, shaping away. Kane Williamson leaves it alone.

That one kept low! Length again, outside off, and it keeps low. Kane Williamson looks to slap it but gets beaten on the lack of bounce.

Mark Adair keeps it full, on off, Kane Williamson blocks it back to the bowler.

Angling in, on the pads, Kane Williamson tucks it to the fielder at short mid-wicket.

Edged, short! Reuben Wilson keeps it full, with a hint of inward movement. Kane Williamson looks to block it but gets a thick outside edge. The ball lands just short of the fielder at slip, who makes a dive and makes a good stop. Dot.

Hard length, outside off, shaping away. Kane Williamson leaves it alone.

NO BALL! Nice and full from Reuben Wilson, outside off. Kane Williamson lunges and blocks it to short cover. It's also a front foot No Ball.

Three runs! Full and straight, on the pads. Kane Williamson leans on and flicks it through mid-wicket. The fielder has a long chase to do as the batters collect three runs.

Length again, on middle and leg, Rachin Ravindra pushes it to the point fielder.

FOUR! That's a glorious shot from Rachin Ravindra! Pitched up, outside off, Rachin Ravindra clears his front leg and drills it down the ground and through mid on for a boundary.

Good comeback from Reuben Wilson. A yorker, on off, Rachin Ravindra gets his bat down in time and blocks it to mid off.

Mark Adair keeps it on a length, outside off, Rachin Ravindra shoulders arms at it.

Nice and full, outside off, Rachin Ravindra tries to block it but gets an inside edge. The ball rolls towards short fine leg for a single.

Adair keeps it full again, on off, Kane Williamson leans on and blocks it back to the bowler.

Whipped away nicely. Hard length, on middle and leg, Kane Williamson whips it through square leg for just a single.

Drags his length back, outside off, Rachin Ravindra leaves it alone. 

Nice leave from Rachin Ravindra. A tad fuller, outside off, shaping in. Rachin Ravindra covers his line and makes a good leave.

Good length, wide of off, Kane Williamson leaves it all alone. 

Back of a length, around off, Kane Williamson gets onto his back foot and keeps it out.

On a length, going down the leg side. Kane Williamson defends this off his front foot.

Short and wide of off, Kane Williamson leans back and looks to cut this square on off but gets it away off the under-edge around silly point.

Full and down the leg side, Kane Williamson tucks this grounded to mid-wicket. 

Hard length, on off, Kane Williamson dead bats it. Another maiden for Mayes.

 OUT! CAUGHT! An absolute screamer from Liam McCarthy to send Devon Conway back. On a length, around the pads, going further down the leg side. Devon Conway stays leg side to the pitch of the ball and flicks this really well off his bat. The ball was flying away to the left of the fielder at short mid-wicket. Liam McCarthy dives to his left, grabs this with both hands and keeps hold of it as he falls onto the ground. Devon Conway departs for 4 and New Zealand are 21 for 2. 

On a length, around the pads yet again, Rachin Ravindra flicks this and keeps it grounded this time. Rachin finds mid-wicket this time. 

Full and around off, shaping away from the batter. Rachin Ravindra pushes this to covers.

Good length, wide of off, shaping away from the left-hander. Rachin Ravindra strides towards the pitch of the ball and pokes at it but bails out of the block just in time. 

On a length, wide of off, Rachin Ravindra leaves it all alone.

 FOUR! Gorgeous stroke to get off the mark, Rachin Ravindra. Pitched up, around off, from around the stumps. Rachin Ravindra leans to the pitch of the ball, presents a full face of his bat and punches this through the covers region for a boundary to open his account. 

On a length, around off, Kane Williamson blocks this underneath his eyeline. 

 FOUR! Just a bit too straight from Thomas Mayes and Kane Williamson makes him pay. Pitched-up delivery, around the pads of the batter. Kane Williamson gets inside the line of the ball and flicks this through the mid-wicket region for a boundary. 

Hard length, around off, Kane Williamson blocks this to silly mid on.

Full and wide of off, Kane Williamson strides to the pitch of the ball and leaves it.

Hard length, on top of middle and off, Kane Williamson gets up on his toes and tucks this to mid-wicket.

On a length, wide of off, Kane Williamson gets right behind the line of the ball and keeps it out with a dab towards gully.

Mark continues to bowl around the stumps against the left-hander. Bowls this wide outside off, and shaping it away from the batter. Devon Conway leaves it. 

Good length, around off, Devon Conway presses onto his front foot and blocks this towards mid-wicket.

Back of a length, around off, Devon Conway almost gets squared up but he keeps it out. Wasn't the best of the defensive strokes from Devon but he does well to keep it out. 

Good length, wide of off, shaping away from the batter, Devon Conway pokes at it away from his body but the awayswing beats his bat.

Hard length, on middle and leg, Devon Conway tucks this to mid-wicket. 

Back-to-back maidens for Ireland. Pitched-up delivery, wide of off, Devon Conway leans into the stroke and drives this square but straight to point.

On a length, around off, Kane Williamson presses towards the pitch of the ball and leaves it alone.

Full and outside off, shaping away from the right-hander. Kane Williamson doesn't offer any stroke at it and leaves this one.

Good length, wide down the leg, Kane Williamson has a go at it but misses out. 

Full and around off, shaping away from the batter, Kane Williamson shoulders his arms at it. 

Beauty from the debutant. Right in the channel, around off, and in that corridor of uncertainty. Kane Williamson steps onto his back foot and looks to keep it out but gets beaten out his outside edge.

A maiden for Thomas, his first in Test cricket. Good length, around off, Kane Williamson defends this right underneath his eyeline.

On a length, around off, shaping back into the batter. Kane Williamson gets right on top of the bounce and dead bats it.

 FOUR! Another streaky boundary for Kane. Good length, around off, Kane Williamson prods onto his front foot and looks to keep it out. Gets it edged off the outside edge of his bat and the ball races through gully for four runs. 

Good length, around off, Kane Williamson dabs this to third slip for a dot.

Hard length, wide of off, Kane Williamson leaves this one all alone.

Back of a length, around off, nipping back into the batter. Kane Williamson gets up on his toes and keeps it out.

Short and around off, Kane Williamson plays this late and dabs this to the left of the fielder at backward point for a quick single. 

On a length, wide of off, Devon Conway covers his off stump and leaves it. 

Full and wide outside off, Devon Conway doesn't offer anything and shoulders his arms at it.

Good length, around off, shaping back into the batter, Devon Conway presses onto his front foot and looks to block this one but the ball shoots a tad on the batter and it hits Devon around his thigh pad.

 FOUR! Glorious punch of the front foot. Pitched up, around off, Devon Conway prods onto his front foot and presents a full face of his bat. Hits this from the middle and the ball goes straight past the bowler to his left for a boundary in front of the sight screen. 

Good length, going down the leg, Devon Conway looks to block this out but misses and gets rapped on his front pad. A gentle appeal but this was going down the leg side and the umpire turns it down.

Full and on off, Devon Conway drives this well off his front foot but straight at covers. 

FOUR LEG BYES! Runs straightaway to get us underway. Mark starts around the stumps to Tom Latham and errs in line as he bowls it down his leg side. Tom Latham misses out on the flick and clips this off his pads for a boundary towards the fine leg region. 

 OUT! TIMBER! This is exactly what Mark came around the stumps for against Tom. Good length, around off, shaping a long way back into the batter. Tom Latham doesn't offer any stroke at it and just shoulders his arms at it, misreading the swing on offer. The ball nips back in a long way and rattles the timber. Tom Latham departs for a duck. 

Good length, around off, shaping away from the right-hander. Kane Williamson leaves it all alone. 

Hard length, around off, Kane Williamson pokes at it with soft hands and gets it edged off the outside edge that drops in front of the fielder at first slip. 

Back of a length, around off, Kane Williamson covers his off pole and leaves it all alone. 

 FOUR! First runs off the bat for NZ in this Test match. Short and around off, Kane Williamson gets up on his toes and looks to block this out, but gets it edged off his outside edge. The ball races between second and third slip and crashes into the boundary cushion around the third man region for four runs.