Can Ireland claim Test scalp against New Zealand?

A major disadvantage for Ireland is, as aforementioned, that they play this format so infrequently.

Heinrich Malan's side did play three Tests in 2025, beating Zimbabwe in February before suffering two defeats against Bangladesh in November.

Their preparations, which Test captain Balbirnie admitted "compared to other Test nations" are below par given they have played just one warm-up game, have also been hampered by injuries.

Paul Stirling who has played in 10 of Ireland's 12 Test matches and is one of their most experienced batters, misses out with a calf injury while Gavin Hoey, Barry McCarthy, Jordan Neill and Josh Little are also unavailable.

That has opened the door for others in the 14-player squad for the games against the Kiwis with four potential Test debutantes in all-rounders Jake Egan, Tom Mayes and Liam McCarthy plus seamer Reuben Wilson included.

While the Belfast crowd will be excited to see the next generation, a depleted Ireland will sorely miss some of their experienced operators in a format in which they really lack expertise.

Balbirnie, who has played in all 12 of Ireland's Test matches, said that his side are "not putting pressure" on getting a result and will target taking the Test as close to the full four days as they can.

It is a big occasion, with around 75% of the tickets having been sold for each of the first two days of the match at Stormont, but only the start of a busy summer.

Ireland arguably have more important games to come in terms of ones in which they will be targeting victories in more familiar formats, with a T20 series against India to come in June and an ODI series against Afghanistan in August.

Like talk of the revamped World Test Championship, there will be time later to look ahead to those games, with all focus now on preparing for the tough task ahead against New Zealand.

"I don't want us to shy away from anything. They will naturally be more skilful than us but we have guys who are passionate about playing for Ireland and have their own skill set and we just have to expose that as much as we can over four days," explained the Ireland skipper.

"When we have those hours or two that we're winning we have to win those hours well and take the momentum whenever we can."