The hits keep coming for this New Zealand team as it pushes through previous performance barriers in fine style.

Forty minutes before stumps, Sri Lanka were entitled to feel immense satisfaction at their day's work at Hagley Oval in Christchurch yesterday.

Mitchell Johnson took on supernatural-like powers of intimidation in Australia's routing of England last summer.

New Zealand’s cricketers have experienced a year of success with test series victories over India and the West Indies, a drawn series with Pakistan and a 4-0 ODI defeat of then-world No 1 India.

Murali Vijay brought up his fourth half century of the series as India reached 108-1 at stumps in reply to Australia’s daunting 530 first-innings.

Doing spectacular deeds is nothing new for the pugnacious little skipper. But this was a day where numbers do talk loudly.

Captain Steve Smith personified leadership as Australia reached 259-5 at stumps on day one of the Boxing Day test in Melbourne against India.

NZ batting coach Craig McMillan last night lavished praise on captain Brendon McCullum after yet another great performance set his side up for a crack at winning the first test against Sri Lanka.

A blistering 195 by New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum dominated the first day of test cricket in Christchurch in eight years today.

Canterbury officials are confident the country's newest test venue will scrub up impressively when New Zealand meet Sri Lanka at Hagley Oval beginning on Friday.

Northern Districts' international attack proved far too formidable as an overmatched Wellington were humbled in the Plunket Shield yesterday.

As many New Zealanders turn their attention to barbecues, beverages and beaches, the national cricket selectors face the unenviable task of preparing Dear John letters for World Cup hopefuls.

Daniel Vettori can reflect on the United Arab Emirates tour with satisfaction, knowing he has reclaimed 'senior pro' territory in the national side without the burden of captaincy or obligations of a centralised contract.

According to Shane Warne, he never called Mitchell Starc "soft". And it seems he won't be doing it any time soon after the lanky Australian quick stood tall on day three...

In recent years, there's been Sachin Tendulkar (2009), Ricky Ponting (2010), Jacques Kallis and Graeme Smith (2012) and Kevin Pietersen (2013).

Sports law specialist Aaron Lloyd has welcomed the criminalisation of match-fixing that has passed into law this week, but says the legislation should go even further.

Nothing has convinced India's cricket board to re-evaluate its stance on the Decision Review System, but umpiring in the current test series just might.

Doug Bracewell is on the rise, Neil Wagner will have a say too, while Tim Southee and Trent Boult return for Northern Districts as the country's leading seam bowlers today mentally mark out their runups ahead of the Sri Lankan test series.

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

After ball cracked into helmet, the captain rushed to him. He placed comforting hands on his shoulder. Gave him a supportive tap on the back.

The International Cricket Council's decision to allow Kane Williamson to bowl again changes the balance to any New Zealand XI at the World Cup and possibly the make-up of the final squad.

With six more matches scheduled against Pakistan and seven with Sri Lanka, it's hard to imagine NZ being more match-hardened to contest the World Cup.