Seldom in international cricket does a player get a second chance to make a first impression, let alone a third.

Ricky Ponting believes it will be a miracle if the first test starts on Thursday as planned, with Australian cricketers continuing to grieve the death of Phillip Hughes.

The cricketing world halted overnight to pay tribute to one of its own after the death of young Australian international batsman Phillip Hughes.

Phillip Hughes was a batsman so precociously talented he drew early comparisons with the legendary Sir Donald Bradman.

Phil Hughes faces a long road to recovery but New Zealand great Ewen Chatfield believes similar may be true for the bowler whose bouncer did the damage.

Junior Kiwi cricketers could be forced to wear protective helmets after the head injury that has left Australian international batsman Phil Hughes fighting for his life.

Luke Ronchi's compelling form in the one-day team looks set to propel him into the test team to replace Jimmy Neesham for next week's third test in Sharjah.

Any New Zealand players who still have a lingering underdog feeling should spend some time with Mitchell McClenaghan.

For New Zealand television viewers the sight of sparsely populated grounds in the United Arab Emirates has prompted concerns about how cricket survives in Pakistan.

The second test duel between Pakistan and New Zealand continued into the fourth day with the visitors making early progress with three wickets for 31 before Pakistan fought back.

Reluctant traveller Jesse Ryder is back in the Otago side for their T20 game against Canterbury tomorrow.

Tom Latham has played a compelling opening hand to deliver New Zealand first day honours at 243 for three in the second test against Pakistan.

The scoreboard was on first name terms with 'Tom' and 'Kane' as the pair amassed 76 for the second wicket as part of New Zealand's 160 for two at tea on the opening day of the second test against Pakistan.

Operation Desert Strip began positively for the New Zealand cricketers tonight in the second test against Pakistan with captain Brendon McCullum and Tom Latham bringing contrasting elements to an opening partnership of 77.

Even Richie McCaw has an off day and Dan Carter often takes a few games to find his form, so I'm not going to crucify the Blacks Caps for the abysmal showing against Pakistan.

Let's detonate a myth about Jesse Ryder. Contrary to the popular theory that he is the miracle cure to solve New Zealand's opening conundrum at the World Cup, he might serve better at No5.

Chameleons, phoenixes, and in the most respectful possible way, cockroaches. Pakistan have no peer when it comes to adapting, rebuilding and surviving in international cricket.

Pakistan’s decision not to enforce the follow-on was yet to pay dividends last night with no declaration made in the first session of the first test against New Zealand.

Martin Guptill can hardly help but hear the criticism when he fails at the batting crease.

Shane Bond hopes New Zealand's freshness can work in their favour in their demanding series against Pakistan starting next Sunday.

New Zealand’s ODI series came to a damp end in Hamilton today.