England v NZ, 1st Investec Test, Lord's, 3rd day

Drinks break blast spurred Southee burst

May 18, 2013: Some stern words from the leadership pair of Brendon McCullum and Kane Willamson helped New Zealand to bounce back against England

England v NZ, 1st Investec Test, Lord's, 3rd day

Southee leads late rally after Root sparkles

May 18, 2013: Just as England appeared to have wrestled control away through a stand of 123 between Joe Root and Jonathan Trott, New Zealand surged back late in the day by taking 4 for 12

England v NZ, 1st Investec Test, Lord's, 2nd day

Taylor wrests initiative despite Anderson's 300th

May 17, 2013: Sustained pressure with the ball and a brave counter-attacking innings from Ross Taylor meant that New Zealand continued to hold a slight advantage

England v New Zealand, 1st Investec Test, Lord's, 1st day

New Zealand straitjacket England on slow day

May 16, 2013: Although the scoreboard only read four wickets, New Zealand could be highly satisfied with the opening day of the series at Lord's having restricted England to a run-rate of two-an-over.

England v New Zealand, 1st Investec Test, Lord's

Cook will not accept slow start

May 15, 2013: Alastair Cook expects England to raise their standards at the start of the home international season

Champions Trophy 2013

Andrew Ellis out of Champions Trophy

May 15, 2013: New Zealand allrounder Andrew Ellis has been ruled out of the Champions Trophy because of a broken rib

County news

Essex replace Quiney with Rutherford

May 15, 2013: Essex have signed New Zealand batsman Hamish Rutherford to replace Rob Quiney as their overseas player for the remainder of the season.

England v New Zealand, 1st Investec Test, Lord's

England out to restore order

May 15, 2013: ESPNcricinfo previews the first Investec Test between England and New Zealand at Lord's

England news

Team man Prior celebrates own success

May 13, 2013: Matt Prior has increasingly been hailed as England's ultimate team man, but for once he is celebrating an individual achievement. Prior has been named as England's cricketer of the year

England v New Zealand, 1st Test, Lord's

Bresnan confident his bite is back

May 13, 2013: Tim Bresnan has Alastair Cook in his sights over the next two days at Lord's as he attempts to secure a recall for the opening Test against New Zealand.

England v New Zealand, 1st Test, Lord's

Southee fit for first Test

May 13, 2013: New Zealand fast bowler Tim Southee has been declared fit for the first Test against England, which begins at Lord's on Thursday

England v New Zealand, 1st Test, Lord's

Unfinished business for Ross Taylor

May 13, 2013: Ross Taylor's return to New Zealand colours after his self-imposed break from the game after losing the captaincy has not been easy. He has unfinished business.

England Lions v NZ, Tour Match, Grace Road, 4th day

Bracewell waiting on Lord's chance

May 12, 2013: Doug Bracewell was not convinced he had done enough to force his way into New Zealand's plans for the first Test at Lord's if Tim Southee's foot injury clears up

England Lions v NZ, Tour Match, Grace Road, 4th day

New Zealand finally uproot Joe

May 12, 2013: Joe Root was finally dismissed on the fourth morning at Grace Road, but not before taking his season tally 646 runs

England Lions v NZ, Tour Match, Grace Road, 3rd day

Southee provides injury concern

May 11, 2013: Tim Southee has emerged as an injury concern ahead of the opening Test at Lord's next week after picking up a foot injury against England Lions

England Lions v NZ, Tour Match, Grace Road, 3rd day

Southee worry amid Lions dominance

May 11, 2013: James Taylor missed the chance to further bolster his impressive England Lions record when he fell cheaply on a rain-ruined day

England v New Zealand, 1st Test, Lord's

Bresnan, Swann elbow their way back

May 11, 2013: The ECB's elbow surgeon has earned his fee after both Tim Bresnan and Graeme Swann returned to England's Test squad for the opening match of the season against New Zealand at Lord's

New Zealand in England 2013

'McCullum's a born leader' - Southee

May 11, 2013: Tim Southee has praised his captain Brendon McCullum's attacking mindset on the field

England Lions v NZ, Tour Match, Grace Road, 2nd day

Root hundred strikes pre-Test blow

May 10, 2013: A classy hundred by Joe Root put England Lions in control against New Zealand after the second day at Grace Road

New Zealand in England 2013

'We are a far better team when Ross Taylor is performing' - Hesson

May 10, 2013: Mike Hesson, the New Zealand coach, believes that the Ross Taylor captaincy controversy might have helped him become a "better" coach