Wellington, March 16 NZPA - Black Caps batsman Ross Taylor and pace bowler Tim Southee have climbed the world cricket rankings, after the five-match Chappell-Hadlee series against Australia.

Mitchell Johnson returns to the top 10; Tim Southee also on the move

Chris Gayle rises to fourth position while Ross Taylor is back into the top 20

By Mark Geenty of NZPA

Wellington, March 14 NZPA - Australia's test cricket side are braced for slow New Zealand pitches but say Daniel Vettori will be a handful on whatever surface is presented in the next fortnight.

By Mark Geenty of NZPA

Wellington, March 14 NZPA - Much like a year ago in Australia, New Zealand cricket captain Daniel Vettori was left rueing what might have been.

Wellington, March 14 NZPA - Peter Ingram has retained his test No 3 slot while Mathew Sinclair was recalled as batting cover in the New Zealand test cricket squad named today to face Australia.

By Mark Geenty of NZPA

Wellington, March 13 NZPA - New Zealand climbed off the canvas to snatch a dead rubber victory against Australia in a controversy-packed Chappell-Hadlee Trophy one-day cricket finale here tonight.

Wellington, March 13 NZPA - Australia were set a target of 242 to complete a 4-1 Chappell-Hadlee Trophy one-day cricket series victory after another poor New Zealand batting display in game five here today.

Wellington, March 13 NZPA - Captain Daniel Vettori and Scott Styris were trying to bail New Zealand out of trouble after another poor start in the fifth one-day cricket international against Australia here today.

Wellington, March 13 NZPA - Australian captain Ricky Ponting won his fifth consecutive toss and sent New Zealand in to bat in the fifth and final one-day cricket international at Westpac Stadium here today.

By Mark Geenty of NZPA

Wellington, March 13 NZPA - New Zealand cricket wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum will eventually give up the gloves to focus on batting -- it's just a matter of when.