With a Kermit-green pitch unveiled at Lord's yesterday the toss stands to have a significant bearing on the Black Caps' fortunes in the first test.

They will be on cricket's grandest stage but the Black Caps will continue playing like kids when the first test against England begins.

One thing England learned at the World Cup was that statistics can lie and they would be wise to heed that painful lesson this week when they face probably the strongest New Zealand team to tour here.

Glenn McGrath and his second wife Sara are expecting their first child together, after the sports star underwent a vasectomy in 2003.

Martin Guptill has all but earned a top spot for the Black Caps' first test at Lord's after scoring 150 in the side's warmup win over Worcestershire.

Fast bowler Stuart Broad caused yet more anguish for a beleaguered England Cricket Board by missing a sponsors' engagement after a marathon drinking session.

Cricket Australia says Shane Warne and Sachin Tendulkar's plan to start a new Twenty20 competition for former international stars could help promote the sport globally.

Is Konrad Hurrell really a liability? Martin Guptill or Hamish Rutherford? Mark and Andrew debate the week's big questions.

There is no chance Pietersen will make a shock return to the England team to face the Black Caps and Australia in the upcoming Test series.

Newcomers Ben Wheeler and Mitchell Santner have impressed in the Black Caps' warm-up game against Somerset. So who are they?

Former Black Caps selector Bruce Edgar claims he received minimal support from New Zealand Cricket during his stint in the role.

Bruce Edgar's resignation from New Zealand Cricket this week was a result of insurmountable philosophical differences, writes David Leggat.