An unbeaten maiden century by New Zealand's Tim Robinson wasn't enough to deny Australia a comfortable six-wicket win in the opening Twenty20 at Bay Oval on Wednesday.

The Aussies and White Ferns are finalising preparations for their hotly anticipated World Cup showdown

It may have been New Zealand's retro moustaches, wigs and floppy hats, but Ricky Ponting was far from convinced that Twenty20 cricket would catch on after the first international match at Eden Park 20 years ago.

New Zealand seamer Matt Henry restricted South Africa to three runs from the last over to seal a three-run victory in the Twenty20 International Tri-Series final at the Harare Sports Club in Zimbabwe on Saturday.

New Zealand beat South Africa by 21 runs in their Zimbabwe Twenty 20 tri-series match at Harare Sports Club on Wednesday.

Top-order batter Rassie van der Dussen will lead South Africa during next month's Twenty20 tri-series with New Zealand and hosts Zimbabwe, with four uncapped players in the squad, Cricket South Africa said on Thursday.

New Zealand reached the World Cup for only the third time.

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner won the toss and opted to bat first against India in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy. 

New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner on Thursday said a slower pitch in familiar territory for India in Dubai will make for a tight contest in the Champions Trophy final.

For New Zealand, the emergence of Ravindra as a formidable top-order batter has been a revelation

Another meek batting display saw Bangladesh eliminated from the race for the semifinals of the ICC Champions Trophy following a five-wicket defeat against New Zealand in their second Group A fixture at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium yesterday.

Ravindra hit 112 as New Zealand marched into the semis, taking India along with them, after his team's win over Bangladesh in Rawalpindi.

Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan won the toss and opted to field first in the opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy in Rawalpindi today. 

Led by new white-ball skipper Mitchell Santner, New Zealand are undoubtedly one of the tournament’s genuine title contenders.

The conservative coalition government defended its "respect for taxpayers' money" as the opposition accused it of feeding a "recessionary fire".

More than 35,000 demonstrators poured into the harbourside city of Wellington, police said, shutting down busy streets as their spirited procession inched its way towards parliament.

Former New Zealand captain Tim Southee said Friday the team's upcoming Test series with England would be his last, with the 35-year-old set to finish up at his home ground in Hamilton.

A captain's knock by Charith Asalanka steered Sri Lanka to a hard-fought four-wicket victory over New Zealand with six balls to spare in Saturday's Twenty20 opener in Dambulla.

Sri Lanka named their squads Wednesday for two T20s and three ODIs at home to New Zealand, with Charith Asalanka captain in both formats.

New Zealand bowled India out for 121 to seal a 25-run win in the third and final test in Mumbai on Sunday and complete a famous 3-0 series sweep.