Cricket News

Australia's rampant batsmen completed the most lopsided match of an already tilted series with an amazing 15.4 overs to spare at Wellington's Basin Reserve

Gary Kirsten was reduced to tears after marking the final Test of his career with a gutsy 76 that denied New Zealand their shot at an historic maiden series victory against South Africa.

Andre Nel, the South African fast bowler, and Graeme Smith, his captain, have both been fined for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during the third Test against New Zealand at Wellington

Chris Martin struck twice with the new ball, but a studious partnership of 46 for the fourth wicket between Graeme Smith and Gary Kirsten set up the Wellington Test for an intriguing finish on the final day: South Africa needed 152 more for a win

South Africa fought back in the field after being restricted to just 316 in their first innings

New Zealand v South Africa, 3rd Test, Wellington

A strong performance with both bat and ball put South Africa in a commanding position after two days of the Wellington Test

A late fightback by Chris Cairns and Brendon McCullum ensured that New Zealand and South Africa shared the honours after the first day of the final Test at Wellington

Pakistan needed just 3.5 overs to score the 28 runs they needed to win the Test and wrap up the series 1-0

Pakistan needed only 28 more to complete an amazing victory, after Shoaib Akhtar swung the match around with a scorching spell to dismiss New Zealand for 103

Ian Butler's 6 for 46 bundled Pakistan out for 196, giving New Zealand a first-innings lead of 170

Jacob Oram scored 97 to lift New Zealand to 366, and then took one wicket as Pakistan finished the second day on 52 for 2

Will he or won't he

New Zealand struggled to 151 for 5 on the first day of the second Test

WELLINGTON, Dec 15 AP - Despite two glaring batting collapses, India coach John Wright is expecting changes in the bowling attack ahead the second Test against New Zealand

New Zealand's most successful Test venue, Wellington's Basin Reserve, is to be ground where its 300th Test match is to be played, starting tomorrow in the first Test of the National Bank Series against India

Basin Reserve groundsman Trevor Jackson believes both teams will find something to enjoy on the pitch to be used in the National Bank Series match between New Zealand and India starting on Thursday

A short-term agreement to improve facilities at the Basin Reserve will see Test cricket retained at the ground this coming summer, with a longer term undertaking made by Wellington Stadium officials for a more substantial upgrade having been accepted

The Basin Reserve's future as a Test venue looks assured

Wellington's Stadium Trustees have been given a deadline of May 31 to provide assurances to the board of New Zealand Cricket that the Basin Reserve will receive a substantial upgrade before next summer