Can Ireland claim Test scalp against New Zealand?

Can Ireland claim Test scalp against New Zealand?Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Ireland captain Andrew Balbirnie has played in all 12 of his side's previous Test matchesByLauren McCannBBC Sport NI journalistPublished4 minutes agoIt is fair to say Ireland's fortunes in Test cricket have been mixed since they were made a full member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in June 2017.They have played 12, won three and lost nine, with their last win coming in Belfast against Zimbabwe in July 2024.While they regularly compete in T20 and one day internationals, Test matches are a rarity for Ireland as they lack the dedicated red-ball infrastructure to be able to consistently compete against some of the world's best nations.They do not have the luxury of a domestic first-class ecosystem to produce players ready for the format with the most recent inter-provincial tournament played in 2019.Ireland could get more Test fixtures if they are added to the ICC's World Test Championship as part of a much-discussed revamp of the structure for the longer format by the world governing body, but that is a conversation that will come further down the line.For now, their focus will be trying to add a fourth victory to their record and a second in Belfast.It would arguably be the most impressive given they will come up against a powerhouse in New Zealand over four days at Stormont, starting at 11:00 BST on Wednesday. "There is that special feeling when we get together as a group and we get the whites [for Test match cricket] and the baggy blue hats. You understand the history of the game when you do get those whites and you go out for a Test match," Balbirnie told BBC Sport NI."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...