Brendon McCullum's admitted making the wrong toss decision in the third test against the West Indies but has paid tribute to the brilliance of his three core players.

A jaunty spring was in the step of the New Zealand cricketers strolling home across Seddon Park last night.

Jesse Ryder is back in the New Zealand ODI team for their five-game series against the West Indies starting at Eden Park on Boxing Day.

After this summer's Ashes heroics, it's hard to imagine an Australian side without Michael Clarke, Brad Haddin and Mitchell Johnson.

The Waca is the last cricket ground in Australia. That is a patent untruth, of course, since there remain ovals studded around the unlikeliest outback places. But it is the only big-time cricket field still going.

At 6.15 last night, the NZ players and management walked out to the middle of the Basin Reserve.