To paraphrase Mark Twain, reports of apathy towards the New Zealand cricketers are always exaggerated.

If you compiled a New Zealand XI of players-who-never-took-themselves-too-seriously, Tony Blain would surely be skipper.

All week I've been hearing about the positives but life, in my book, does not work that way. You can be as good as you like for 90 per cent of your life but if you make one big stuff-up, it will define you.

Dejected captain Brendon McCullum and bittersweet strike bowler Tim Southee reflected on letting a prime opportunity slip. Yes, it would have been the third highest chase in 127 Lord's tests but, with more than five sessions to spare, it somehow seemed realistic.

Andrew Alderson joins Cameron McMillan from London to discuss the opening day at Lord's in the first test between New Zealand and England.

Since January 2011, New Zealand has played eight test series and two one-off tests against Zimbabwe. Six of them have been two-test series. Their only three-test series have been at home against South Africa and England.

James Anderson was on the verge of taking his 300th test wicket this week (298 before the start of last night's first test). His numbers put him among the truly great England bowlers.

Tom Latham and Ian Butler are applying what might be termed the "Chris Pringle clause" this English cricket summer.

The next building blocks in the reconstruction of New Zealand as a test team are about to be put in place.

The sideshow to the main event has ended, leaving omelette-faced ex-international John Parker in retreat mode, writes Dylan Cleaver.

Injured sportsman Jesse Ryder is being targeted to make a return to cricket in the inaugural month-long Caribbean Premier League, starting in July.

The only reason Mark Richardson can come up with regarding the motivation for John Parker and Co to go public with their document on the Taylor affair is fear.

The Canberra Raiders are hoping home ground advantage and the X-factor of a little known youngster will turn their NRL season fortunes around today against the Sydney Roosters.

Former New Zealand cricketer Mark Greatbatch has admitted his involvement in John Parker's movement for better governance.

It would be a huge stretch to call it a gasp of exasperation; maybe more a quiet exhalation, but New Zealand coach Mike Hesson yesterday briefly let his guard slip over the ongoing off-field drama surrounding his team.

New Zealand will be two players short for the start of next month's tour of England.

Spinner Daniel Vettori has returned to the one-day side for the Black Caps after eight months out of international cricket with an ankle injury.

Cricket broadcasting rights partners Radio Sport and New Zealand Cricket have been in a stand-off this week over a line of questioning in a controversial interview.