Auckland will host next weekend's Ford Trophy final after upsetting top qualifiers Central Districts in New Plymouth yesterday.

The absence of Dean Brownlie and Anton Devcich confirms Brendon McCullum will open the batting at next month's World Cup.

Auckland suffered their first loss of the Ford Trophy season after crashing to a comprehensive defeat yesterday against previously winless Canterbury.

Milestone achieved, now moving on. Trent Boult admitted he was chuffed to complete his 100 test wickets at Hagley Oval yesterday but there's a test to be won.

A cricket wish list for the new year? How about a test series against Australia. Actually it'll happen late next year.

Wicketkeeper BJ Watling can remember when the New Zealand team was very different to the confident, winning group who assembled in Christchurch yesterday for a bumper home international summer.

Auckland's grip on the Plunket Shield looks shaky halfway through the third round matches.

Crowdsourcing has become one of the commercial buzzwords of the internet age, but for many sporting organisations around New Zealand sourcing crowds is of greater importance.

Northern Districts moved into a share of top spot in the Georgie Pie Super Smash after easing past Central Districts in Hamilton yesterday.

Auckland are off to an ideal start, but Northern Districts are the pacesetters after the opening weekend of the domestic T20 cricket competition.

Wellington got their Plunket Shield campaign off to a fine start with a thrilling win over Canterbury at Hagley Oval yesterday.

Northern Districts aren't about to veer from their simple policy before their second Champions League group game against the Hobart Hurricanes in Raipur early tomorrow.

Northern Districts are discovering the joys of having class players in their Champions League cricket squad.