New Zealand have taken their five-game series against Pakistan to a decider.

This was a game that should not have been played, writes David Leggat. The Pakistani players' hearts and minds were clearly with the horror of the school massacre.

Pakistani cricketer Younis Khan hails from Mardan, about 45 minutes drive from Peshawar, the site of the bloody massacre in Pakistan today.

Hosting the opening ceremony and the first match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 early next year will cement Christchurch's position as the sporting capital of New Zealand, Mayor Lianne Dalziel said today.

New Zealand must come from behind once again if they are to salvage their ODI series against Pakistan.

The Black Caps have beaten Pakistan by four wickets this morning in Sharjah to level their ODI series.

With the second one-day international between New Zealand and Pakistan played overnight, the onus goes on the all-rounders to find form before the end of the series.

The Black Caps have let the opening ODI against Pakistan slip through their hands after the hosts came back from 86 for five to chase down 247 for the victory.

This is the World Cup preliminary squad you weren't going to see. NZ Cricket originally intended the original group of 30 players to remain under wraps.

New Zealand Cricket has submitted its 30-man squad for World Cup. As expected, it doesn't include Otago opener Jesse Ryder.

New Zealand will go into the ODI series against Pakistan in good heart after a series-levelling 17-run win in the second and last T20 clash in Dubai today.

You can argue the wisdom of playing a couple of no-account T20 internationals between New Zealand's test and ODI legs in the United Arab Emirates.

Australia has confirmed its updated schedule following the death of Phil Hughes, and there'll be a delay to the four-test series against India.

The Black Caps' win by an innings and 80 runs on the fourth day of the third test against Pakistan will rank as one of the most comprehensive in the country's history.

Brendon "Baz" McCullum - you are a legend. Frustrating maybe, but a genuine legend, writes Chris Rattue.

NZ has taken control of the third test between the Black Caps and Pakistan, after Brendon McCullum's huge double century. Click here for tonight's ball-by-ball commentary.

The Black Caps can take pride in amassing 637 for eight against Pakistan, the highest total in any of the 381 innings they have played overseas.

Brendon McCullum scores New Zealand's fastest test century in 78 balls against Pakistan last night, the latest highlight in a career of surreal cricketing moments.

In the wake of Phillip Hughes's death there are already cries for the the bouncer to be outlawed and, on the face of it, the arguments are compelling.