Ross Taylor's century against England in Napier may have seemed like the former skipper announcing himself back into the New Zealand setup, after sitting out the South African tour in December-January. However the former skipper reckons he's never left it. Taylor's even 100, his seventh ODI century, was his best innings by far since coming back into the national team after losing the leadership.

New Zealand cricket teams have always prided themselves on their fighting qualities. At times their has been a shortage of true class in their teams. But grit and resolve have been on hand to make New Zealand's reputation as a unit who will make opponents work for their success. That was one of the most pleasing parts of New Zealand's three-wicket win over England at Hamilton's Seddon Park last night, for captain Brendon McCullum.

The Black Caps have chased down England's first innings target of 258 to win the first ODI in Hamilton.

One match each and the decider being played this evening, Black Caps skipper Brendon McCullum will bowl first if given the chance, and English paceman Steven Finn welcomes the Kiwis aggression in the field.

Black Caps fast bowler Mitchell McClenaghan spoke to the media as the English and Kiwis traveled to Wellington to contest the deciding T20 match with the teams locked at one game all.

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum played down his personal contribution to his side's emphatic 55-run Twenty20 win over England in Hamilton last night. He had no need to. Without McCullum's rasping 74 off 38 balls, New Zealand would have been in big trouble. As it is, he carried them to 192 for six, then found his bowlers in purposeful mood to seal a convincing win, bowling England out for 137.

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum has played down his personal contribution of 74 off 38 balls in his side's emphatic 55-run Twenty20 win over England in Hamilton.

With the England cricket team set to line up against NZ in the first Twenty20 match tomorrow, APNZ looks back on some standout moments of previous trips.

New Zealand Cricket have been given a $2.14 million handout by the ICC in a bid to help the Black Caps become more competitive over the next three years.

As they assessed the wreckage of New Zealand's two tests against South Africa last month both captain and coach made a similar observation.

Shane Warne has unveiled his plan for the future of Australian cricket and it includes former Black Caps captain Stephen Fleming.

Sri Lanka's tour of Australia finished in ugly scenes as players clashed on field and had to be physically separated following Sri Lanka's two-run Twenty20 win.

Two or three salty little droplets squeezed from my 36-year-old tear ducts as the New Zealand cricket team embraced like first-time ecstasy users after their first series win in South Africa.

Any advantage gained by the Black Caps following AB de Villiers' two-game suspension could be offset by the absence of in-from batsman BJ Watling.

A piece of advice from his father has paid an impressive dividend for fast bowler Mitchell McClenaghan.