The Black Caps may have won the Twenty20 series 2-0 against India in Wellington yesterday but the world champions are far from finished in their tour of New Zealand.
Brendon McCullum scored an unbeaten 69 and struck the winning run from the final ball to lead New Zealand to a thrilling five-wicket win.
"We could have played a bit better but, still, the approach was good," Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni said.
"We had a decent start and we had big hitters down the order but the two or three wickets we lost in the middle overs were crucial."
The teams square off for five one-day internationals starting next week at venues around the country, before three tests.
Meanwhile, here’s your chance to kick-start your cricket career? There are opportunities abound coming your way, courtesy of the National Bank.
Summer and the arrival of international teams to our shores this year have generated a burgeoning interest in cricket around the country.
And the National Bank, a major sponsor of the sport in New Zealand, has created a National Cricket Club to promote the game even further among all age groups, kids, college students, administrators and coaches.
This season, the club will be running skills sessions for kids (featuring current BLACKCAPS) and seminars for coaches and administrators.
Primary school, intermediate or junior college players will benefit from the club’s Super Skills Sessions. Some of Black Caps and cricket legends will be on hand to share their knowledge and help you improve your batting, bowling and fielding skills, the club’s website www.nationalpastime.co.nz says.
You will have an hour and a half skills session with New Zealand cricket legends, followed by a barbecue where you can meet the Black Caps.
Each attendee at Super Skills Sessions will also receive Black Caps and National Bank giveaways.
The administrators' seminars are aimed at those involved in running club and regional cricket. The seminars run alongside the Coaching Clinics and prior to the Super Skills Sessions in each region.
Leading sport managers from both New Zealand and overseas cover a range of topics, including:
• Marketing your club
• Growing membership
• Governance structures
• Financial systems
• Sponsorship and fundraising
• Technology
• Database management
The coaching clinics are ideal for volunteer coaches from primary school level through to the 1st XI. You’ll have the opportunity to listen to some of New Zealand’s leading high performance coaches covering the fundamentals of coaching.
inics run for two hours. The first hour and a half will include a classroom style workshop session with a professional coach, followed by a 30 minute observer's programme during the Super Skills Session.
The club's website says: At The National Bank we understand that the foundation of success of New Zealand cricket is built by thousands of players, volunteer coaches and club administrators. That’s why we have created the National Cricket Club. It's here to help every club, every player, at every level of cricket.
Family Day
Every Sunday of every test match this summer will be The National Bank Family Day – which means if you’re under 18, entry is free! National Bank Family Days are a joint initiative of The National Bank and New Zealand Cricket.
The National Bank Family Day is always a fun family atmosphere. There will be lots of spot prizes and giveaways throughout the day, and interactive activities during the lunch breaks. Also, look out for The National Bank Sweet Spot where National Bank customers can register to win half an hour in a very special seating area with a prime view of the ground plus food and drink to their heart’s content.
The National Bank sponsors all international cricket in New Zealand. We’ve made it our mission to enhance your experience of our great summer game.
One of our most successful initiatives over the last 10 years has been The National Bank Neighbourhood. ‘The Neighbourhood’ is a separate seated area inside stadiums designed for fans and families in particular to have a fantastic fun day out at international cricket away from the more vocal areas of the crowd. National Bank staff are on hand to make sure everyone in the area has a great time.
Every child in the Neighbourhood receives a fun pack full of goodies, including an activity book, sunscreen, Neighbourhood
Neighbourhood Cricket
Cap, special wristbands which change colour when sunscreen needs to be reapplied and many more BLACKCAPS branded items.
Competitions will be run inside the Neighbourhood throughout the day, including special spot prizes. Two children sitting in the Neighbourhood will be chosen to run the ball out onto the field at the beginning of each innings.
The idea of the Neighbourhood is for you and your family to have a truly memorable day at the cricket this summer – and all for a discounted combo ticket price! So get in quick and purchase your spot in the Neighbourhood through Ticketek
For details visit www.nationalpastime.co.nz