New Zealand pair lead fightback against Ireland

NZ pair lead fightback against Ireland at StormontImage source, InphoImage caption, Rachin Ravindra registered his fifth Test century while Tom Blundell got his sixth at StormontByLauren McCannAtCivil Service Cricket Club, StormontPublished11 minutes agoOnly Test, Civil Service Cricket Club, Stormont (day one of four)New Zealand 361-5 (94 overs): Blundell 142*, Ravindra 121; Adair 3-66Ireland: Yet to batIreland won the toss and decided to fieldScorecardNew Zealand recovered from a poor start to reach 361-5 on the first day of the four-day Test match against Ireland at Stormont.Mark Adair took three wickets as the Black Caps slipped to 88-4 before centuries from Rachid Ravindra and Tom Blundell put the tourists in control.Ravindra hit 142 while Blundell is 142 not out - the pair put on a 217-run partnership for the fifth wicket.In the first meeting between the two sides in Test cricket, Ireland won the toss and decided to field first in sunny Belfast.Heinrich Malan's side, playing just their 13th Test match, enjoyed a superb morning session.Adair bowled out Tom Latham in the first over as the New Zealand captain opted to leave a fast delivery, only to see the ball hit the stumps.The second wicket fell in the sixth over as Devon Conway's loose stroke from Adair was caught by Test debutant Liam McCarthy.Two wickets from three balls then arrived later in the morning as Kane Williamson was trapped leg before for 39 by the impressive McCarthy.Daryl Mitchell was next to go as he edged behind from Adair's delivery to wicketkeeper Lorcan Tucker, who caught it easily as New Zealand headed for lunch on 104-4.The Black Caps responded in style in the afternoon session, led by Ravindra and Tom Blundell, who took the score to 214-4 by tea.Ireland were left to rue a dropped catch from captain Andrew Balbirnie in that afternoon session as he failed to hold on in the slips from a Ravindra drive.The fruitful partnership for the Kiwis continued into the evening session,...