Witnesses say Daniel Bell was far more affected by alcohol than the "couple of beers" assessment Swimming NZ gave when they sent him home from the Commonwealth Games.

Comeback king Jesse Ryder and rookie Kane Williamson led a disciplined batting effort which served New Zealand's purposes perfectly well as they prospered at a sedate rate in the third cricket test against India today.

The Blacks Caps lost two wickets in two hours to end the second day on 69 for two in the first test gainst India.

nzherald.co.nz brings live scoring of the first test between the Black Caps and India in Ahmedabad.

Daniel Vettori will not need a bat in his hands as he ticks off yet another cricket century in tomorrow's opening cricket test against India.

Strapping Canterbury fast bowler Hamish Bennett wants to be let loose on an unsuspecting Indian side in the first test.

The Black Caps have their heads down and tails up approaching the first test against India starting Thursday.

New Zealand Cricket boss Justin Vaughan admits to a few nerves ahead of the Black Caps tour of India.

India has slipped three places to 87th spot on an international Corruption Perception Index.

John Key says Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh does not hold a grudge against New Zealand for broadcaster Paul Henry's racial comments.

Coach Mark Greatbatch has been blunt about the Black Caps' series loss to Bangladesh saying they 'played like dicks'.

The 'Paul Henry' affair may well come up in talks between John Key and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at a summit in Hanoi.

Booker prize-winning writer Arundhati Roy has defended comments she made over the disputed territory of Kashmir.

Brendon McCullum's set his Black Caps team mates some lofty goals ahead of their tour of India.

Russell Brand and Katy Perry have arrived in Rajasthan for the beginning of their wedding festivities.