Tickner shines as New Zealand thrashes Ireland before England series

Blair Tickner took his first five-wicket haul in Test cricket as New Zealand hammered Ireland by an innings and 79 runs in a one-off match in Belfast on Friday.

The comprehensive victory saw New Zealand win with more than a day to spare in a match that was only scheduled for four days -- rather than the standard five of most Tests 

It was also a confidence-building success for the Black Caps ahead of next week's clash against England at Lord's, the first match in a three-Test series.

Ireland, dismissed for 179 in the first innings, started the third day at Stormont on 65-2. 

New Zealand had declared on a commanding 490-8 featuring Tom Blundell's 186, Rachin Ravindra's 121 and debutant Dean Foxcroft's 98, with captain Tom Latham later enforcing the follow-on.

"We were put under pressure at times, which is what you want," said Latham.

"They (New Zealand's fast bowlers) did fantastically well, bowled well with the new ball."

He added: "We wanted to come here and play our brand of cricket. To be put under pressure, to have time on our feet, it is really important and hopefully it sets us up for what lies ahead."

The Black Caps, however, were 86-4, with leading batsman Kane Williamson among those dismissed, after losing the toss before Ravindra and Blundell shared a fifth-wicket stand of 217.

"To put on more than 200, it was a fantastic partnership," said Latham. 

Tickner's haul, albeit against a fledgling Test nation in Ireland, was an encouraging sign for New Zealand in the absence of the injured Matt Henry and came as England coach Brendon McCullum -- a former New Zealand captain -- said Friday the Black Caps possessed "one of the most exciting bowling line-ups in the world".

'Playing catch-up'

Ireland rarely looked like making New Zealand bat again, but they did at least manage an improved 232 in their second innings.

The 32-year-old Tickner, in his fifth Test, did the bulk of the damage with the medium-fast bowler's return of 5-76 including all of Ireland's top three.

Ireland opener Stephen Doheny - one of four top-six batsmen dismissed for a duck by paceman Nathan Smith in the first innings, a record in Test cricket -- made 57 and wicketkeeper Lorcan Tucker exactly 50, with all-rounder Mark Adair 44 not out.

The match ended with Ireland nine wickets down following Reuben Wilson's dismissal as Curtis Campher had retired hurt with a hand injury before lunch.

"We had a bit of a sniff on the first morning, but once they got through...we were always playing catch-up," said Ireland captain Andrew Balbirnie.

Brief scores:

At Stormont, Belfast (day three of four):

New Zealand 490-8 dec (T Latham 186, R Ravindra 121, D Foxcroft 98; M Adair 3-66) v Ireland 179 (A McBrine 73; N Smith 6-40) and 232 (S Doheny 57, L Tucker 50; B Tickner 5-76)

Toss: Ireland

Result: New Zealand won by an innings and 79 runs