New Zealand's designated wicketkeeper-batter Tom Blundell has carved his name into the record books during the ongoing one-off Test match against Ireland in Belfast.
Tom Blundell cracks historic 186 against Ireland
Playing on the second day of the four-day Test at the Civil Service Cricket Club, Blundell shattered a 50-year-old milestone for the highest individual score by a New Zealand wicketkeeper-batter in an away Test. Anchoring the innings for the Tom Latham-led side from the number six position, he played a masterful knock of 186 runs off 292 balls, an innings that featured 22 boundaries and three sixes.
ALSO READ: RCB star's teammate announces retirement amidst IPL 2026, once scored 728 runs in debut season
Highest individual score by New Zealand's Wicketkeeper-Batter In Away Test
Tom Blundell - 186 (2026)
Warren Lees - 152 (1976)
Brendon McCullum (2004)
Brendon McCullum (2005)
Adam Parore (2001)
Blundell’s magnificent 186-run contribution in the first innings comfortably eclipsed the previous away record of 152 runs, which was set by Warren Lees against Pakistan during the Karachi Test in 1976. This milestone knock also marks Blundell's second century in an away Test as a designated wicketkeeper-batter. With this achievement, he joins an elite group, becoming only the third New Zealand gloveman to record multiple hundreds in away Test matches, alongside legendary figures BJ Watling and Brendon McCullum.
Most 100s By NZ's Wicketkeepers In Away Tests
BJ Watling – 3
Brendon McCullum – 2
Tom Blundell – 2
Warren Lees – 1
Adam Parore – 1
ALSO READ: Big update on chances of Rahul Dravid replacing Stephen Fleming as CSK's next head coach in IPL 2027