Signing you in

Stephen Doheny and Tom Mayes looked to continue their fighting efforts in the morning session, but the visitors still managed to strike when Nathan Smith found the edge of Mayes’s bat for a simple catch behind.

Harry Tector, who was dismissed for zero in the first innings, battled through an especially tricky period against Blair Tickner with the Kiwi quick soon drawing an edge from a horrible, rising delivery for another catch behind. Tector could only watch from the ground as he fell backwards.

Another blow came when a nasty ball from Ben Sears struck Curtis Campher on the left glove and immediately brought his innings to a close. Campher was sent for an X-ray on what is a suspected break on his left hand.

Ireland’s Mark Adair. Nick Elliott / INPHO Nick Elliott / INPHO / INPHO

The home side continued to fight despite the further wickets of Doheny (57) and McBrine (13) who had looked the most technically proficient Irish batter just the day previous. Ireland vice-captain Lorcan Tucker then counterattacked with a fluent 50 to warm the Stormont crowd but was eventually dismissed trying to pull a sharp, lifting delivery from Smith only to sky a catch to Daryl Mitchell.

Having scored 40 in the first innings, Belfast boy Mark Adair now saw the opportunity to entertain during his 44 not out but ran out of batting partners at the crease. Liam McCarthy first found himself stranded trying to get Adair back on strike and Reuben Wilson nicked behind after scoring his first test runs.

Speaking on the broadcast former Ireland all-rounder Kevin O’Brien was pleased with some elements of the Irish performance: “I think the guys fought well and certainly the lower middle order – McBrine and Adair as they have done throughout their test careers.”

O’Brien also praised the debutants: “[I’m] really pleased with the young guys… they ran in all day on Day One – Liam McCarthy in particular. Tom Mayes was extremely consistent as well. They will be better for it. Three tough days of test cricket; you’ll certainly learn as cricketers.”

A general view of the action. Nick Elliott / INPHO Nick Elliott / INPHO / INPHO

New Zealand captain Tom Latham and his side now travel to England for a crucial series in the World Test Championship, having used this fixture to build up for the three tests.

New Zealand 490/8 declared (94 overs) T Blundell 186, R Ravindra 121, D Foxcroft 98; Mark Adair (3-66), H Tector (1-33), R Wilson (1-89).

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