New Zealand pacer Tim Southee believes that Rishabh Pant's freak run-out went a long way in changing the course of the Indian innings that eventually folded up for 165 in the first Test, in Wellington, on Saturday.
There are no half measures for fit-again New Zealand pace spearhead Trent Boult who is ready to challenge India captain Virat Kohli on his return to international cricket during the two-Test series starting in Wellington on Friday. Boult was out of action for the past six weeks due to a fracture on his right hand sustained during the Boxing Day Test against Australia and missed out on the limited-overs leg of the India series.
New Zealand's bowlers ripped through the West Indies tail after lunch on the fourth day of the first Test in Wellington on Monday to record an innings and 67-run victory and take a 1-0 lead in their two-match series.
India's first Test series victory in New Zealand in 41 years on Tuesday highlighted the hosts' battle with inconsistencies that have haunted their Test performances in recent years.
The third and final Test between India and New Zealand ended in a draw as play was not possible after rain came down during post-lunch session on the fifth day at the Basin Reserve in Wellington on Tuesday.
Rahul Dravid scaled another lofty peak in his illustrious career when he created the world record for the most number of Test catches by a fielder in Wellington on Monday.
Star middle order batsman Yuvraj Singh on Monday defended India's decision to delay the declaration in the second innings, which could possibly deny them a victory in the third and final Test if the predicted showers swamp the Basin Reserve on Tuesday.
A battle of attrition is on cards as India and New Zealand set out to achieve different goals in the third and final Test at the Basin Reserve in Wellington on Friday.
Undaunted by the traditionally seam-friendly Basin Reserve track, India coach Gary Kirsten said his side will have no trouble adjusting to it in the third and final cricket Test against New Zealand, beginning in Wellington on Friday. Kirsten said he sees no reason to be hassled about the wicket or cold, windy conditions the team will encounter.
Pakistan beat New Zealand by 141 runs to win the second Test on Day 4 at the Basin Reserve on Sunday and level the three-match series 1-1.
Pace bowler Jackson Bird has been recalled by Australia for the first Test against New Zealand after James Pattinson was deemed not quite ready to stand up to the rigours of a full workload, captain Steve Smith said on Thursday.
A "gut feeling" choice made by Michael Vaughan to drop his bowling spearheads Steve Harmison and Matthew Hoggard paid enormous dividends for the England captain during the second Test win against New Zealand.
England produced an all-round performance to level the Test series with New Zealand on Monday, winning the second match by 126 runs early on the fifth and final day at the Basin Reserve. Left arm pace bowler Ryan Sidebottom, who captured 10 wickets in the first Test in Hamilton, provided the impetus for the visitors with five wickets in New Zealand's second innings to help dismiss them for 311.
Ian Chappell reckoned Indian batsmen need to strike a balance between caution and aggression. Known for his sharp cricketing mind, Chappell's line of thinking is a bit different from that of Kohli.
Not satisfied with wrapping up the first Test in less than three days, New Zealand have vowed to be even more ruthless against Bangladesh in the second Test starting at the Basin Reserve in Wellington on Saturday.
Pick your Playing XI for the second Test against New Zealand.
Trent Boult revealed his gameplan against Kohli after third day's play
The 30-year-old paceman is a doubt after rolling his ankle in training on Thursday.
New Zealand would look to a Test loss to try and salvage a victory against India in the third and final Test at the Basin Reserve, batsman Ross Taylor said on Saturday.
England were "desperate" to win the second Test against New Zealand to end an eight-match streak without a victory, captain Michael Vaughan said on Monday.
England fast bowler James Anderson has thrown an injury scare into his team's hopes of winning the second Test against New Zealand when he injured his left ankle playing soccer after the third day's play in Wellington on Saturday. An England team spokesman told reporters the 25-year-old had turned his left ankle during a game of soccer between members of the England team after the day's play ended.
James Anderson claimed a five-wicket haul to help England dismiss New Zealand for 198 in the first innings.
New Zealand's pace bowlers ripped through Bangladesh's top order to leave the visitors staring at almost certain defeat at the close of play on the second day of the second Test on Sunday.
New Zealand reached 134 for three in reply Bangladesh's total of 143 on day one of the second Test in Wellington.
New Zealand wrapped up their two-Test series against Bangladesh when they bowled the visitors out for 113 just before lunch on the third day of the second Test.
The match was called off after lunch on the fifth and final day because of rain and fog.
Corey Anderson's all-round show helped New Zealand thump Pakistan by 95 runs in the deciding Twenty20 international in Wellington on Friday and bag the three-match series 2-1.
New Zealand were 335 for seven at the close on the second, 143 runs ahead of West Indies
The New Zealand seamer took five for 44 off 17 overs, as the visitors slumped to 182 for eight at the end of the first day.
New Zealand pace spearheads exploited a tricky Basin Reserve wicket to bowl India out for under 200 twice with Jamieson's height and delivery angle providing plenty of problems.
New Zealand's 6-foot-8-inch pace sensation Kyle Jamieson's father savours his son's memorable Test debut against India in which he snared 3 for 38 on Day 1 of the first Test.
New Zealand's debutant pacer Kyle Jamieson says with his height, he "can afford to go a fraction fuller", especially at the Basin Reserve which has extra bounce.
New Zealand beat Sri Lanka by an innings and 38 runs in the second Test to win the two-match series 1-0.
Chris Martin grabbed six wickets for 54 as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 211 runs on the opening day of the second Test.
New Zealand were praying for more rain to save them from defeat in the second Test against Australia.
Heavy fog and rain forced the abandonment of the first day's play in the second Test between New Zealand and Australia at the Basin Reserve on Friday.
Kane Williamson seized New Zealand's run chase by the scruff of the neck to lead his side to an improbable seven-wicket victory against Bangladesh on the final day of the first Test at the Basin Reserve on Monday.
New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor is confident he will be back to full fitness by the start of the World T20 in India after making his comeback from injury by participating in a domestic competition in Wellington. Taylor scored an unbeaten 26 off 16 balls as he helped his side North Island close out a comfortable six-wicket T20 victory over the South Island at the Basin Reserve on Sunday. It was the former Black Caps skipper's first spell at the crease since he suffered a side strain five weeks earlier while batting against Pakistan in a one-dayer across town at Westpac Stadium. The 31-year-old right-hander didn't shy away from playing his cut and pull shots and hit three boundaries. "It was good to get through that, but I'm confident it will get a lot better come the next couple of weeks," Taylor told cricket.com.au. Taylor said he felt a bit stiff, but had been told that would ease over time.
Sri Lanka captain Dinesh Chandimal also acknowledged Mendis and Mathews had saved the game for his side, who were dominated by New Zealand over the first three days.
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