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'A Really Pleasing Performance': Latham Delighted By New Zealands Belfast Dominance

Captain Tom Latham: Captain Tom Latham praised centurion Tom Blundell and seamer Nathan Smith after New Zealand thrashed Ireland by an innings and 79 runs in the single test in Belfast on Friday - providing the perfect platform for their first test against England at Lord's next week. The tourists found themselves on the ropes early, falling to 86-4 inside 23 overs, but the magnificence of a Blundell hundred helped to transform the game as the wicketkeeper-batsman joined with Rachin Ravindra for a pivotal 217-run partnership that laid the foundations for a huge first-innings total of 490-8 declared. We were put under pressure on that first day - to be four down reasonably early with not many on the board, Latham told the Post-Match presentation show. The introduction of Tom absorbed quite a lot of pressure and was able to put it back on them and form a really good partnership, over 200. Back on track, the Kiwis took control and dismissed their hosts for only 179 as Nathan Smith recorded career best figures of 6-40 to hand them a first innings lead of 311 and allow him to exercise the option of following on. Ireland had little response second time around and were restricted to a further 232, leaving New Zealand comfortable victors well before the close of play and giving them perfect match preparation for their upcoming three-Test series with England during June. Latham was especially pleased with his team's response to the difficult first day and the achievement of their predetermined batting targets. A really pleasing performance, said Latham. We spoke as a batting unit of getting 400-plus in the first innings, and to get what we did and to push towards the back end to give us a chance to bowl before lunch. Ireland had little response second time around and were restricted to a further 232, leaving New Zealand comfortable victors well before the close of play and giving them perfect match preparation for their upcoming three-Test series with England during June. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The hundred of Blundell, Smith's six-wicket haul and the comprehensive victory ensure that New Zealand head into the Lord's test match high in confidence and full of momentum. Article Source: IANS