West Indies and New Zealand are the top-ranked teams in Group C, but will face strong resistance from Afghanistan, Uganda and Papua New Guinea as they aim to make it through to the second round.

New Zealand coach Gary Stead is confident of having a fully fit squad when the team departs for the Caribbean for next month's Twenty20 World Cup with Finn Allen and Devon Conway making good progress in their recovery from injuries.

Michael Bracewell will captain New Zealand for the first time on their Twenty20 tour of Pakistan this month, with a host of top names missing because they are playing in the Indian Premier League.

New Zealand all-rounder Rachin Ravindra became the youngest player to win the Sir Richard Hadlee Medal, the highest award for men's cricket in New Zealand, on Wednesday.

Australia were 202 runs from victory with six wickets in hand at the end of day three of the second Test in Christchurch on Sunday after New Zealand grabbed the momentum with some late bowling fireworks.

New Zealand were dismissed for 372 in their second innings after tea on the third day of the second Test against Australia in Christchurch on Sunday, setting the visitors a victory target of 279.

A timely return to form by New Zealand opener Tom Latham hauled the Black Caps back into the second Test against Australia Saturday as they overhauled a 94-run deficit to lead by 40 at stumps.

Seamer Mitchell Starc said Australia's bowlers aim to ensure New Zealand world-class batter Kane Williamson doesn't stay long at the crease on his 100th Test appearance.

Australia captain Pat Cummins heaped praise on team-mates Nathan Lyon and Cameron Green on Sunday for match-winning performances as his side secured a 172-run triumph over New Zealand in the first Test.

Phillips had earlier taken 5-45 as New Zealand took Australia's last six wickets for the addition of 37 runs to end the tourist's second innings on 164

 New Zealand were 111 for three at the close of play on the third day of the first test against Australia at Wellington's Basin Reserve on Saturday, still 258 runs away from their daunting victory target of 369.

Australia beat New Zealand by 27 runs in the rain-shortened third Twenty20 in Auckland on Sunday to complete a clean sweep of the series.

David Warner has withdrawn from the third and final match of Australia's Twenty20 series against New Zealand in Auckland on Sunday with adductor soreness, Cricket Australia announced on Saturday.

Tim David hit a four off the last ball to give Australia a nail-biting six-wicket victory over New Zealand in the first Twenty20 international in Wellington on Wednesday.

Captain Mitchell Santner vowed Tuesday that his "underdogs" New Zealand will put up a "fight" in their three-match Twenty20 home series against a full-strength Australia.

Fast bowler Kyle Jamieson has been ruled out for the rest of the season after scans revealed a stress fracture in his back, New Zealand Cricket announced on Saturday.

South Africa's David Bedingham scored a maiden century on Thursday to leave New Zealand with the challenging task of scoring 267 to win the second and final Test in Hamilton.

Trent Boult was named in the New Zealand squad for part of the upcoming Twenty20 series against Australia on Wednesday, indicating that the veteran fast bowler is still in the frame for the World Cup in June.

South Africa skittled New Zealand's tail to dismiss their hosts for 211 and take a shock 31-run first-innings lead on day two of the second test at Seddon Park on Wednesday.

New Zealand batter Daryl Mitchell will sit out the second Test with South Africa next week to be fit for the looming home series against world champions Australia, New Zealand Cricket said Thursday.