Tom Blundell Sets New Record for New Zealand Wicketkeeper in Away Test

Historic Achievement by Tom Blundell

During the ongoing one-off Test match against Ireland in Belfast, New Zealand's wicketkeeper-batter Tom Blundell made a remarkable achievement. On the second day of this four-day Test at the Civil Service Cricket Club, he broke a 50-year-old record for the highest individual score by a New Zealand wicketkeeper in an away Test. Blundell scored an impressive 186 runs off 292 deliveries while batting at No. 6 for the team led by Tom Latham, hitting 22 fours and 3 sixes.

Top Runs by NZ Wicketkeeper in Away Tests

Tom Blundell - 186 (2026)
Warren Lees - 152 (1976)
Brendon McCullum - 185 (2010)
Adam Parore - 100 (2001)

In the first innings of the match, Blundell's score of 186 surpassed Warren Lees' previous record of 152 runs, which was set during the Karachi Test against Pakistan from October 30 to November 4, 1996.

Most Centuries by NZ Wicketkeepers in Away Tests

BJ Watling – 3
Brendon McCullum – 2
Tom Blundell – 2
Warren Lees – 1
Adam Parore – 1

Blundell's century against Ireland marks his second in away Tests as a New Zealand wicketkeeper. He joins BJ Watling and Brendon McCullum as the only wicketkeepers to have scored multiple centuries for New Zealand in away Test matches. Watling holds the record for the highest score by a New Zealand wicketkeeper in a Test match, having scored 205 runs in the first innings of a Test at Mount Maunganui in 2019. He is also the only New Zealand wicketkeeper to achieve a double century in a Test. Following his 186 runs in the current match, Blundell is now ranked second overall, just behind McCullum, who scored 185 runs in a Test against Bangladesh in February 2010.