- Ireland take on New Zealand in a one-off test
- Ireland have only won three of twelve Tests
- New Zealand are ranked fifth in the Test world rankings
Ireland will be looking to change their Test fortunes this week,as they play host to the fifth best Test side in the World, New Zealand in Belfast this week.
Ireland have struggled in the test format, only winning three of their 12 Tests. Their last win came against Zimbabwe, also in Belfast, in July 2024. Test matches are a rarity for Ireland, as they do not have the luxury of a first-class ecosystem to produce players ready for Test Cricket. The most recent inter-provincial tournament, the closest thing to the County Championship, was back in 2019.
As part of a much-discussed revamp of the ICC’s World Test Championship, Ireland could well be in line for more Tests. But that is a conversation that will come later on. For now, Ireland’s focus is on New Zealand and picking up that fourth Test win.
“Special feeling when we get together”
Captain Andrew Balbirnie told BBC Sport NI:
“There is that special feeling when we get together as a group and we get the whites and the baggy blues hats. You understand the history of the game when you do get those whites and you go out for a Test match.
“It’s a real privileged position for us as players, and for me as a captain, to get these opportunities against some of the best players of all time. You look at Kane Williamson, the New Zealand batter, he is probably going to go down as New Zealand’s best ever player.
“It’s a real honour to play against guys like that, but you also want to compete as well as you can against guys like that.”
First ever Test match between the sides
This will be the first time Ireland have played New Zealand in the Test match format. New Zealand are currently fifth in the ICC World rankings, whilst Ireland don’t have a ranking due having not played eight Tests within the three-year cycle.
The Black Caps are in good form in this format of the game. They picked up victories against West Indies and Zimbabwe in their previous two Tests in 2025. Balbirnie added:
“It will be a challenge. These guys have played a lot of first-class cricket, a lot of Test cricket, and they’ll certainly be going in as favourites.
“We just have to ask our boys to embrace it, don’t look at as if you are playing New Zealand, just go out as if you’re playing for your club team and enjoy it, and we’ll see where we land at the end of Saturday.
“We’re going to have to play tough cricket. There will be periods during the four days when we will be under pressure but as long as we come out of that pressure having thrown a couple of punches, that’s all you can really ask for.”
Preparations below par
Heinrich Malan’s side played three Tests in 2025. They beat Zimbabwe in February before suffering two defeats against Bangladesh in November. Their preparations, Balbirnie admitted “compared to other Test nations”, are below par given they have played just one warm-up game.
They have also been hampered by injuries. Paul Stirling, who has played in 10 of the 12 Tests, and is one of their most experienced batters, misses out with a calf injury. Gavin Hoey, Barry McCarthy, Jordan Neill and Josh Little are also unavailable.
However, that has opened the door for others in the 14-man squad for the games against New Zealand, including possible debuts for all-rounders Jake Egan, Tom Mayes and liam McCarthy, as well as seamer Reuben Wilson.
“not putting pressure” on the result
While the Belfast crowd will be excited to see the new generation of Ireland Test players, a deleted Ireland will definitely miss some of the experienced operators in a format which they lack expertise in. Balbirnie, who has played in all 12 of Ireland’s Tests, said that his side are “not putting pressure” on getting a result and will target taking the match as close to the full four days.
With around 75% of the tickets for each of the first two days, it’s a big occasion. However, it’s only the start of a busy summer. Ireland will be targeting victories in the T20 series against India in June and an ODI series against Afghanistan in August.
Where to watch
You can watch the game on TNT Sports in the UK and Ireland and Sky NZ in New Zealand. Play starts at 11am BST (10pm in New Zealand).
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