New Zealand Beat Ireland by 79 Runs in Belfast — Live Cricket Streaming

New Zealand ended the one-off Test in Belfast with an innings and 79 runs win over Ireland, and live cricket streaming viewers saw the match close with Blair Tickner taking the last wicket. Ireland were left with 232-9 after being forced to follow on, while New Zealand turned a first-innings total of 490-8 into a heavy victory.

Belfast Test Ends Early

New Zealand declared on 490-8 on day two, then put Ireland back in to bat after enforcing the follow-on. Ireland began day three on 65-2, already deep under pressure after the first innings had gone badly for them.

Tom Mayes, Harry Tector and Stephen Doheny were removed in the morning session, and the wickets kept falling after lunch. Andy McBrine, Lorcan Tucker, Liam McCarthy and Reuben Wilson all departed before the innings ended.

Tickner Finishes the Job

Tickner had the final strike when Wilson, out for 4, edged to Daryl Mitchell. Liam McCarthy also played a part in the collapse when he slipped going for a run and was run out by Tickner.

Mark Adair later clipped a four from Nathan Smith to the deep mid-wicket boundary, but it did little to slow the finish. Curtis Campher retired hurt with a suspected broken hand, leaving Ireland even shorter of options as the innings drifted toward the end.

England Series Next

The result fit New Zealand’s plan for the match: a warm-up before a tougher challenge against England next week. Ireland, meanwhile, were outclassed in a format they rarely play, and the scoreline reflected the gap between a side prepared for five days and one that had to fight through a rare Test under pressure.

For New Zealand, the work in Belfast ended with control in both innings and a result that removes any uncertainty heading into England. For Ireland, the match closed at 232-9 and underlined how steep the task was once the follow-on was enforced.