Toss Ireland chose to bowl vs New Zealand
Hosting a Test at home for the first time in two years, Ireland opted to bowl first in Belfast against New Zealand. The two teams meet for the first time in this format in what will be a four-day game.
New Zealand fast bowler Matt Henry was ruled out of the Test as he recovers from a low-grade left hamstring strain. He will join fellow New Zealand fast bowlers Will O'Rourke and Kyle Jamieson at a training camp in London, where he will prepare for the three-Test series against England on June 4.
Paul Stirling, Ireland's first-choice opener in the format, picked up an injury before the game and was not in the squad. Ireland have picked Stephen Doheny to replace him at the top of the order.
Ireland also handed debuts to seamers Thomas Mayes, Reuben Wilson and Liam McCarthy. New Zealand fielded four seamers, while allrounder Dean Foxcroft made his Test debut.
The Belfast surface is expected to offer seam movement for the fast bowlers. However, temperatures have been in the mid-20s Celsius, which is considered a heat wave in Northern Ireland. The surface might be better for batting than the previous Tests hosted here, while spin may become significant as the game goes on.
Since Ireland are not part of the World Test Championship cycle, no points are on line for either team.
New Zealand XI: Tom Latham (capt), Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wk), Dean Foxcroft, Nathan Smith, Zak Foulkes, Blair Tickner, Ben Sears
Ireland XI: Andrew Balbirnie (capt), Stephen Doheny, Cade Carmichael, Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Andy McBrine, Mark Adair, Liam McCarthy, Reuben Wilson, Tom Mayes
