Australia's selectors face their most important decision since the recall of Mitchell Johnson, as they mull the best response to Shane Watson's late scratching.

Auckland are well-placed to press for the victory they need at the halfway mark of their Plunket Shield clash with Canterbury.

Northern Districts recovered from an early slump to beat Otago by five-wickets in the final of the HRV Cup at Seddon Park in Hamilton tonight.

The domestic T20 playoff teams have been finalised and even though they have one game outstanding, Auckland won't be in the mix this week.

As clutch games go, today's contest at Eden Park's outer oval takes some beating.

Corey Anderson coined the term, and if BJ Watling carries on as he is playing now, it'll probably stick.

Only a downpour prevented Jesse Ryder from yesterday adding to the deluge of runs he has scored this summer in search of an international return.

Martin Crowe has Ross Taylor's ear and spoke reassuring words into it before the opening test against the West Indies began.

Several New Zealand batsmen could do with plenty of pre-first test runs against the West Indies selection in their tour opener at Lincoln starting today.

A day which began badly for Northern Districts ended rather well at Seddon Park yesterday.

Mitchell Johnson holds the key to Australia's Ashes chances after his stunning career resurrection led the home side to a drought-breaking first test victory over England in Brisbane.

As we head into potentially a very interesting summer of cricket against the West Indies and India, to be honest, we are not in a healthy state at all.

A century from New Zealand wicketkeeper BJ Watling has set up an intriguing final day in Northern District's Plunket Shield clash with Auckland at Seddon Park.

It took Dan Vettori two days of first-class cricket to make an impact in the Plunket Shield.

Jesse Ryder's six-month ban for failing a drug test expires today and he will rejoin the Otago squad on Monday to prepare for the start of domestic first-class cricket.