If you are building your fantasy cricket squad for the New Zealand Tour of Ireland 2026, Day 1 of the Belfast Test has already given a clear picture of which players are worth backing. The one-off Test at Stormont is producing big individual performances, and that makes selecting the right fantasy cricket picks both exciting and very important. From Rachin Ravindra's outstanding century to Mark Adair's three-wicket burst in the morning session, there is a lot to work with when putting together your New Zealand Fantasy Team or Ireland vs New Zealand Fantasy lineup on FairPlay. This guide covers the smartest Test fantasy cricket tips based on real match data from Day 1.
Key Takeaways
- Rachin Ravindra scored 121 off 194 balls with 11 fours and 4 sixes. He is the standout pick across all Ireland vs. New Zealand fantasy formats.
- Tom Blundell finished Day 1 unbeaten on 142 off 233 balls with 18 fours and 2 sixes. A strong captain or vice-captain option.
- Mark Adair took 3 wickets for 19 runs in the morning session. The best fantasy cricket pick from the Ireland bowling group.
- Liam McCarthy took the wicket of Kane Williamson on his Test debut. A differential pick worth considering.
- Dean Foxcroft was not out on 38 off 53 balls at stumps on Day 1. A useful all-rounder option.
- Tom Blundell and Rachin Ravindra put on a 217-run fifth-wicket partnership, the third-highest such stand in New Zealand Test history.
- New Zealand ended Day 1 on 361 for 5, in a commanding position heading into Day 2.
Why Day 1 Data Matters for Fantasy Cricket Tips
One of the biggest mistakes people make when selecting a New Zealand fantasy team is relying only on pre-match reputation. Day 1 of the Belfast Test has already changed things significantly. Ireland bowled first after winning the toss and had New Zealand in serious trouble at 86 for 4 inside the first 22 overs. That early collapse meant several big names from New Zealand's batting lineup, including Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, and Daryl Mitchell, were dismissed cheaply. From a fantasy cricket standpoint, those four players are not worth picking for the remaining days of this Test.
What changed the game completely was the partnership between Rachin Ravindra and Tom Blundell. They put on 217 runs together for the fifth wicket and batted through the entire afternoon session without Ireland taking a single wicket. New Zealand closed Day 1 on 361 for 5, with Blundell unbeaten on 142 and Dean Foxcroft on 38. This data is gold for anyone building a Dream11 Predictions lineup for Days 2, 3, and 4 of this match.
Top Fantasy Cricket Picks from New Zealand's Batting
Tom Blundell and Rachin Ravindra are the standout fantasy picks, with Blundell anchoring the innings and Ravindra providing stability against seam. Kane Williamson remains a premium choice despite his early dismissal, as his experience and consistency make him a long‑term asset. Devon Conway and Tom Latham add depth, offering reliable top‑order runs in Irish conditions.
Rachin Ravindra, the Must-Have in Any Fantasy Cricket Team
Rachin Ravindra is the single most important pick in the Ireland vs. New Zealand Fantasy lineup after Day 1. He scored 121 runs off 194 balls, hitting 11 fours and 4 sixes, and reached his sixth Test century in what were genuinely tough early conditions. He came in with New Zealand struggling and turned the game around completely. He was eventually dismissed by part-time off-spinner Harry Tector in the evening session, but his contribution to New Zealand's score was the largest individual factor of the day.
For any fantasy cricket tips guide worth reading, Ravindra's innings make him the clear number one batter pick. He has shown he can perform in these conditions; he scores quickly enough to earn strong fantasy points, and his ability to play both defensively and aggressively makes him a consistent performer across all sessions. If New Zealand bats again in this Test, he is equally worth picking for that innings too.
Tom Blundell and the New Zealand Fantasy Team Wildcard
Tom Blundell might not always be the first name people put in their New Zealand Fantasy Team, but after Day 1 at Stormont, he absolutely deserves to be. His 142 not out off 233 balls, including 18 fours and 2 sixes, was a match-defining knock. He came in at number six under pressure and built one of the biggest fifth-wicket partnerships in New Zealand Test history alongside Ravindra. He was still unbeaten at stumps, which means there could be more runs to come on Day 2 before New Zealand declares or is bowled out.
In Test fantasy cricket betting tips, batters who are not out overnight carry extra value because they are certain to bat at least some more, assuming no rain or unusual circumstances. Blundell is exactly that kind of player for Day 2 of this match.
Best Bowling Fantasy Cricket Picks from Both Sides
Mark Adair is Ireland’s top fantasy bowling pick, taking three wickets for just 19 runs in the morning session, including Tom Latham for a duck. His disciplined economy rate under 2.3 makes him a reliable points earner in fantasy cricket. Debutant Liam McCarthy offers a strong Dream11 differential option, dismissing Kane Williamson with a brilliant swinging delivery. Though his workload is less predictable, McCarthy’s ability to strike early and bowl economically adds unique value. Together, Adair’s consistency and McCarthy’s breakthrough potential make them the standout Ireland bowling picks against New Zealand.
Mark Adair, the Top Ireland Fantasy Cricket Pick
For anyone running an Ireland vs. New Zealand fantasy team with a strong Ireland component, Mark Adair is the only realistic bowling pick from the morning session. He took three wickets for just 19 runs, removing Tom Latham for a duck off the second ball of the match, then dismissing Devon Conway and Daryl Mitchell to leave New Zealand reeling at 86 for 4. Adair is Ireland's most experienced Test bowler and consistently takes wickets against high-quality opposition.
His economy rate of under 2.3 in the morning session shows how disciplined he was in conditions that suited him. In fantasy cricket picks for Test matches, a bowler who can take multiple wickets in a session and maintain a tight economy rate is exactly the kind of player who earns significant points. Adair is the pick of the Irish bowlers without any doubt.
Liam McCarthy, the Dream11 Predictions Differential Pick
Debutant Liam McCarthy took what many are calling the wicket of the day, dismissing Kane Williamson lbw for 36 after the former New Zealand captain had looked settled. McCarthy's delivery swung in full and trapped Williamson in front, earning him his maiden Test wicket in front of the home crowd at Stormont. For Dream11 Predictions builders who want a differential pick, McCarthy is an interesting option. He bowled four overs for 15 runs alongside that wicket, showing he can be economical as well.
The risk with picking a debutant in fantasy cricket is that their workload is less predictable than that of established players. But if McCarthy gets another long spell on Day 2 and takes wickets, those points will be difficult to get from any other Ireland bowling option.
All-Rounder Value in Your Fantasy Cricket Lineup
Dean Foxcroft as a Fantasy Cricket All-Rounder Option
Dean Foxcroft is a name worth including in the New Zealand Fantasy Team if you want all-rounder value. He was unbeaten on 38 off 53 balls at stumps on Day 1 on his Test debut, showing he is a capable lower-order batter who plays with intent. As a batting all-rounder who bats at number eight, he can contribute useful runs even in a second innings if New Zealand needs quick runs at any point.
In Test fantasy cricket tips, all-rounders who can score runs at a brisk pace in the lower order and also bowl useful overs give you dual points-scoring opportunities. Foxcroft is at the early stages of his Test career, but his debut innings score suggests he is a confident player in this situation.
Final Thoughts on Fantasy Cricket Tips for This Test
The New Zealand Tour of Ireland 2026 has produced a fantastic first day of Test Cricket Betting Odds, and the data from Stormont gives clear guidance for anyone putting together their fantasy cricket lineup. Rachin Ravindra and Tom Blundell are the two must-have batting picks based on current form and match situation. Mark Adair is the clear bowling choice from Ireland's side, while Liam McCarthy works as a lower-cost differential. Dean Foxcroft rounds out the New Zealand Fantasy Team as an all-rounder option with real upside. Whether you are using Dream11 Predictions platforms or building your squad on FairPlay, these fantasy Top 5 Cricket Betting Strategies picks based on Day 1 data give you the strongest possible starting point for Days 2 through 4 of this historic Belfast test.