Belfast: Tom Blundell and Rachin Ravindra’s brilliant centuries put New Zealand in control at the Civil Service Cricket Club on Wednesday in the opening day of the one-day Test against Ireland in Belfast.
After electing to bowl first, Ireland struck twice in the opening hour to leave New Zealand 21-2 under pressure. Tom Latham and Devon Conway both fell cheaply as the hosts took full advantage of the exciting conditions.
Kane Williamson scored a crucial 36, hitting five fours to stabilize the innings. He shared a crucial 64 with Rachin Ravindra to rebuild the innings.
However, New Zealand slumped back to 86-4 after losing Williamson and Daryl Mitchell in quick succession.
Ravindra again anchored the innings, putting on 217 for the fifth wicket with Blundell to put New Zealand back in control.
He combined patience with controlled aggression and scored a well-crafted century to score 121 off 194 balls, including 11 fours and 4 sixes, by Harry Dektor.
Blundell produced a brilliant innings of the day, soaking up the initial pressure before accelerating as the ball softened. The wicketkeeper-batsman scored an unbeaten 142 off 233 balls with 18 fours and 2 sixes.
At innings, New Zealand were 361-5 in 94 overs, with Dean Foxcroft unbeaten on 38 to support Tom Blundell, who was on the verge of reaching the 150-run milestone.
Ireland’s bowlers worked hard throughout the day, with Mark Adair returning excellent figures of 3/66, but struggled to maintain control once the surface loosened in favorable batting conditions.