Hundreds from Rachin Ravindra and Tom Blundell helped New Zealand recover from a collapse against Ireland to reach 361-5 on the opening day of a one-off Test. New Zealand, sent in to bat in Belfast on Wednesday, were in trouble at 86-4, with Ireland paceman Mark Adair taking three wickets and Test debutant Liam McCarthy dismissing key batsman Kane Williamson.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
But a mammoth fifth-wicket stand of 217 between Ravindra (121) and Blundell (142 not out) revived New Zealand's innings in a match that also serves as a warm-up fixture for their opening Test against England at Lord's next week.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Adair struck with just his second delivery, removing Tom Latham when the captain played no shot to an inswinger.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Devon Conway was then caught by a diving McCarthy at midwicket, with Adair also having Daryl Mitchell caught behind.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
McCarthy had a maiden Test wicket to remember when Williamson, struggling for timing during a 70-ball 36, was lbw.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
But an Ireland side featuring three debutant fast bowlers could not press home their advantage and there was a self-inflicted wound when captain Andrew Balbirnie dropped Ravindra in the slips.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Left-hander Ravindra completed his fifth Test century in 175 balls faced.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Blundell was slightly quicker, his hundred coming in 173 balls, including 15 fours and a six.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Ravindra holed out to off-spinner Harry Tector but Blundell, in the first Test between the two countries, was unbeaten at stumps.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Batting with Tom, one of my best mates, it was cool to get it done out there," said Ravindra. "To have us four down for 80-odd made our lives quite difficult so me and Tommy's focus was on building a partnership."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
McCarthy, meanwhile, was proud of the start to his Test career.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"There's not many better wickets to get than Kane Williamson for your first one," he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
New Zealand suffered a setback before play began at Stormont after fast bowler Matt Henry was ruled out with a minor strain in his left hamstring.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He has now headed to London alongside fellow pacemen Kyle Jamieson and Will O'Rourke.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The trio will look to prove their fitness ahead of the first of a three-Test series against England at Lord's starting a week on Thursday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\r\nBrief score<\/p>\r\n\r\n
At Stormont, Belfast (first day of four):<\/p>\r\n\r\n
New Zealand 361-5 (T Blundell 142 no, R Ravindra 121; M Adair 3-66) v Ireland<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Toss: Ireland
\r\n <\/p>\r\n",
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