Senior New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor has vision problems and will see an eye specialist before the second Test against Pakistan, coach Mike Hesson confirmed Sunday.

Captain Misbah-ul-Haq is highly unlikely to be available for his country's second Test against New Zealand in Hamilton on Friday after having to return to Pakistan due to a family illness.

A Kane Williamson half century sees New Zealand snap a four-Test losing streak when they beat Pakistan by eight wickets in the first Test at Hagley Oval, Christchurch.

All-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin struck a crucial half-century before England bowled out India for 455 in the afternoon session on day two of the second Test in Visakhapatnam on Friday.

South Africa captain Faf du Plessis has been charged with ball tampering during the second test against Australia in Hobart, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said on Friday.

Colin de Grandhomme became New Zealand's most successful debutant bowler Friday, taking six for 41 as Pakistan folded for 133 in their first innings of the first Test.

Impressed by performances of certain local players in the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hassan Papon has said that one or two additional performers from the BPL may be included in Bangladesh's preparatory squad for the New Zealand series.

Director of England cricket Andrew Strauss expects Alastair Cook to carry on as the Test captain well into the summer of 2017, saying the 31-year-old is comfortable with the responsibility.

England pacers James Anderson and Stuart Broad give their side the early breakthroughs to put India on the backfoot at 2 for 22 inside five overs in the second Test match of the series at Visakhapatnam.

Persistent rain forced the abandonment of the first day's play of the first cricket Test between New Zealand and Pakistan at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Thursday.

Pakistan and New Zealand both claimed the high ground on the eve of Thursday's first Test in Christchurch, with the Black Caps drawing inspiration from Brendon McCullum's classic farewell innings.

India's much-hyped spin attack are under pressure to deliver in the second Test at Visakhapatnam starting Thursday against an England side high on confidence and boasting new teenage sensation Haseeb Hameed.

Questions arose when the 24-year old all-rounder was not considered for the preparatory camp in Australia for the upcoming New Zealand tour.

India's much-hyped spin attack are under pressure to deliver in the second Test at Visakhapatnam starting Thursday against an England side high on confidence and boasting new teenage sensation Haseeb Hameed.

Australia's cricketers have lost their "fear factor" and could be heading towards a West Indies-style decline, batting great Brian Lara warns.

"Embarrassed" skipper Steve Smith said Australia needed a shake-up but backed under-fire coach Darren Lehmann after the hosts slumped to a humiliating series defeat to South Africa on Tuesday.

Kyle Abbott came into the Test series unsure if he was among his team's top four pace bowlers, yet finished as man-of-the-match in South Africa's innings demolition of Australia in Hobart on Tuesday.

Australia captain Steven Smith said he was embarrassed by his team's performance against South Africa and accused his players of lacking pride in their wickets after another batting collapse paved the way to a crushing 2-0 series defeat.

South Africa demolish Australia by an innings and 80 runs after yet another batting collapse to claim their third successive Test series Down Under, plunging the hosts further into crisis.

England skipper Alastair Cook says scoring his ninth Test century in Asia during the drawn first Test against India makes the struggle of being away from his newborn baby "worthwhile".