Tickner stars as New Zealand wrap up innings victory in Belfast

Blair Tickner bagged a fifer as New Zealand completed a comfortable victory over Ireland by an innings and 79 runs at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast, on Friday (May 29). After being asked to follow on, Ireland were bundled out for 232 on the third day's play.

Resuming the morning on 65 for 2, Ireland were pushed on the backfoot early, with Nathan Smith dismissing Thomas Mayes for 5, and Tickner joining the act a few overs later by dismissing Harry Tector for 2.

Stephen Doheny provided the resistance Ireland needed. He displayed patience, but was also quick to take on the short deliveries. Ireland were further pegged back when Curtis Campher was hit on his left glove by a sharply rising delivery from Ben Sears, forcing him to retire hurt soon after Doheny had crafted his way to a half-century.

Doheny's innings too came to an end soon after courtesy a bumper from Tickner which ballooned towards gully, where Devon Conway took a fine diving catch. As wickets kept tumbling, Lorcan Tucker took the aggressive route, and cracked a flurry of boundaries before rain ended the opening session abruptly.

Even after Lunch, New Zealand's pacers stuck with their short-ball ploy, and one of it led to Andy McBrine's downfall. Looking to go after a short delivery that was asking to be hit, he played an upper cut to the backward point fielder.

Nonetheless, Tucker continued to be on the offensive - and found company for the same with Mark Adair - as he brought up his half-century in only 69 balls. His innings, however, ended there after he top-edged a hook off Nathan Smith. Not one to hold back, Adair continued his hitting-spree, cracking seven boundaries en route to an unbeaten 44. Liam McCarthy and Ruben Wilson offered company for a while, but it was mere formality as their innings folded even before the Tea break.

For all practical purposes, there was only a short window throughout the contest in which the two teams were at par. When New Zealand were reduced for 86 for 4 on the opening day. Thereafter, the hosts were outplayed in all facets.

Acknowledging the gap, Ireland skipper said, "It's tough, really tough for our guys to come up against a top team and put in a really good performance. They were relentless in everything they did. We had a bit of a sniff on that first morning, but they showed that once you get through that tricky period, you can get big scores and big hundreds." However, he added that this experience would hold his players in good stead in the future.

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