By Chris Barclay of NZPA

Wellington, Dec 3 NZPA - Daryl Tuffey did his best Shane Bond impression but Umar Akmal could not replicate his heroics on debut as New Zealand dominated a disrupted opening day of the second cricket test at the Basin Reserve today.

Wellington, Dec 3 NZPA - Pakistan were 161 for six in their first innings at stumps on the opening day of the second cricket test against New Zealand at the Basin Reserve here today.

Bad light stopped play with 25 overs still scheduled to be bowled.

Wellington, Dec 3 NZPA - Bad light has stopped play in the final session of the opening day of the second cricket test between New Zealand and Pakistan at the Basin Reserve here today.

Wellington, Dec 3 NZPA - New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori has won the toss and asked Pakistan to bat first in the weather-affected second cricket test at the Basin Reserve here today.

This week the Allied Nationwide Finance Basin Reserve is hosting its 50th test - and one Wellington-based nonagenarian has seen every one of those 50 games.

Watching from his favourite spot in the R A Vance stand this week will be 91-year old cricket lover Wyvern Hunt.

Members of the BLACKCAPS and Pakistan teams will be wearing red ribbons on the first day of the second Test in Wellington today (Thursday 3 December) to mark international cricket's global HIV/AIDS initiative.

Wellington, Dec 3 NZPA - The start of the second cricket test between New Zealand and Pakistan at the Basin Reserve here today has been delayed due to a damp outfield.

New Zealand Cricket has congratulated Wellington's historic Basin Reserve cricket ground on reaching a unique milestone.

Sri Lankan children give England cricket hero an enthusiastic welcome

'Coming back to Galle has been heart-warming and very, very emotional' - says Laureus World Sports Academy member Sir Ian Botham

Pictures of Sir Ian Botham in Sri Lanka available on www.laureusarchive.com

Wellington, Dec 2 NZPA - The Australian tasked with ensuring the Basin Reserve's 50th cricket test is not a damp squib is confident it has not be compromised by Wellington's miserable weather.