At last Daniel Vettori looks set to give New Zealand test cricket fans an encore, writes Andrew Alderson.

Call it the drive for five or the fix for six.

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.

New Zealand's test spinning ranks are into their third year of the time classification known as PV (Post-Vettori) and off-spinner Mark Craig and leg-spinner Ish Sodhi are showing signs of promise.

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.

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.

As tempting as it may be, Luke Ronchi is resisting any thoughts he's a lock in New Zealand's one-day international side.

New Zealand have crashed to another comprehensive defeat in today's second ODI against South Africa at Bay Oval.

The Black Caps will tomorrow begin their Cricket World Cup preparations at Tauranga's Bay Oval in the first of three one-day internationals against the Proteas.

The decision by the West Indies cricketers to abort their tour of India due to a pay dispute could cost the hosts at least $12.6 million per match for the remaining fixtures.

A few weeks back, Mike Hesson made the point that the World Cup door was not shut on Jesse Ryder.

Strong personalities at the helm have characterised South African cricket since their return to international cricket in the early 90s.

Who should open when New Zealand start the cup against Sri Lanka in Christchurch? There appear to be four candidates - Martin Guptill, Tom Latham, Jimmy Neesham and Dean Brownlie.