This video can not be played 'Special feeling' representing Ireland in Test matches - Balbirnie

It is fair to say Ireland's fortunes in Test cricket have been mixed since they were made a full member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in June 2017. They have played 12, won three and lost nine, with their last win coming in Belfast against Zimbabwe in July 2024.

While they regularly compete in T20 and one day internationals, Test matches are a rarity for Ireland as they lack the dedicated red-ball infrastructure to be able to consistently compete against some of the world's best nations. They do not have the luxury of a domestic first-class ecosystem to produce players ready for the format with the most recent inter-provincial tournament played in 2019.

Ireland could get more Test fixtures if they are added to the ICC's World Test Championship as part of a much-discussed revamp of the structure for the longer format by the world governing body, but that is a conversation that will come further down the line.

For now, their focus will be trying to add a fourth victory to their record and a second in Belfast. It would arguably be the most impressive given they will come up against a powerhouse in New Zealand over four days at Stormont, starting at 11:00 BST on Wednesday.

"There is that special feeling when we get together as a group and we get the whites [for Test match cricket] and the baggy blue hats. You understand the history of the game when you do get those whites and you go out for a Test match," Balbirnie told BBC Sport NI.

"It's a real privileged position for us as players, and for me as a captain, to get these opportunities against some of the best players of all time. You look at Kane Williamson, the New Zealand batter, he is probably going to go down as New Zealand's best ever player. It's a real honour to play against guys like that but you also want to compete as well as you can against guys like that."

Injured Stirling out of Ireland-New Zealand Test

Kane Williamson is the leading runs scorer for New Zealand in Test cricket.

This is the first time Ireland will come up against New Zealand in the Test match format. New Zealand are fifth in the ICC's world rankings, while Ireland, in contrast, do not even feature in the rankings as they have not played the required eight Tests within the three-year cycle. The Black Caps are a formidable force in the red-ball form of the game. They picked up victories against the West Indies and Zimbabwe in their previous two Tests that took place in 2025.

"It will be a challenge. These guys have played a lot of first-class cricket, a lot of Test cricket, and they'll certainly be going in as favourites," added Balbirnie. "We just have to ask our boys to embrace it, don't look at as if you are playing New Zealand, just go out as if you're playing for your club team and enjoy it, and we'll see where we land at the end of Saturday.

"We're going to have to play tough cricket. There will be periods during the four days when we will be under pressure but as long as we come out of that pressure having thrown a couple of punches that's all you can really ask for."

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."