Batsman Kane Williamson's sixth Test century and a battling 83 by opener Tom Latham put New Zealand in control at 240 for two at stumps on day one of the first Test against the West Indies on Sunday.
There was no chance of play on day three of Sri Lanka's tour match against Northamptonshire at the County Ground, as heavy overnight rains and persistent drizzle made it impossible and play was called off early.
The memories of the Wellington demolition are still fresh in the fans' memories, and definitely in the minds of the players, as the Windies took to exact revenge on a three-day defeat in December, and a two nil series loss.
Sri Lanka's batsmen enjoyed a fruitful second day against Northamptonshire in their tour match, with Lahiru Thirimanne's century at the forefront of the visitors' 558 for eight declared.
The Sri Lankans' preparation for next week's first Test against England at Lord's enjoyed a fruitful three sessions against Northamptonshire at Wantage Road on Thursday.
A fifth ODI soured by England batsman Jos Buttler's controversial run-out ended in a relatively comfortable six-wicket victory - and three-two series triumph - for Sri Lanka at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Tuesday.
Overcomplicated scenarios, rather than a straightforward semi-finals stage, aside - this showdown promises plenty. Head-to-head battles are proliferated across the war. Indeed, now is the reckoning for Robin Uthappa versus Glenn Maxwell.
Despite a somewhat turbulent build up to the tour to the UK, where they had to quickly replace their coach, Sri Lanka will be confident of coming out on top in the five-match ODI series, starting at The Oval on Thursday.
The Kolkata Knight Riders beat the Kings XI Punjab by three wickets in Sunday's final at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore - to be crowned champions of the 2014 Indian Premier League.
The final of the seventh edition of the Indian Premier League features 2012 champions Kolkata Knight Riders against first-time finalists Kings XI Punjab, clashing for the second time in a week.
Sri Lanka held on for a tight seven run victory over England in the fourth ODI at Lord's, levelling the series at two-all despite a brilliant century from Jos Buttler that took the hosts to within striking distance.
The Kings XI Punjab advanced to Sunday's IPL final by beating the Chennai Super Kings by 24 runs, with the yellow juggernaut unable to chase down the 226 Punjab scored, much of which was down to Virender Sehwag.
Chennai had to knock defending champions Mumbai out of the contest on Wednesday to reach this 'semi-final' while KXIP lost to Kolkata that same day, their fearsome line-up failing for only the fourth time in 15 matches.
The Chennai Super Kings kept their hopes of a third Indian Premier League title alive on Wednesday, while the defending champions, Mumbai, were sent crashing out as MS Dhoni's men beat them by seven wickets in the Eliminator.
England made a fantastic comeback from their second ODI defeat, winning the third match of the series by 10 wickets and with most of the knock to spare after Chris Jordan's earlier heroics.
Let's start by expressing astonishment at the fact that Mumbai are even in this position. After losing their first five matches, all in Bangladesh, they made a nail-biting turn around when back on home soil.
A whirlwind cameo from New Zealand all-rounder Corey Anderson powered the Mumbai Indians into the play-offs stage of the Indian Premier League on Sunday.
West Indian batsman Lendl Simmons struck the first century of the 2014 Indian Premier League, as the Mumbai Indians upstaged the Kings XI Punjab by seven wickets in Mohali, Chandigarh, on Wednesday.
Sri Lanka romped to a whopping 157-run victory over England in the second ODI at Durham on Sunday, with the hosts all out for 99 to level the series with three more to play.
The Kings XI Punjab cemented their place at the top of the Indian Premier League with an easy seven-wicket win over the Delhi Daredevils on Sunday, after the latter side failed to fire again.
The Kolkata Knight Riders 'pulled a Holland' on Saturday night as they reached their target in the 15th over, though only needing 161 to win against the Sunrisers Hyderabad and winning by four wickets.
The Mumbai Indians remained in the hunt for a berth in the play-offs stage of the Indian Premier League and the Delhi Daredevils sunk to an eighth consecutive defeat in Friday's key fixture at the Wankhede Stadium.
England commenced the first steps required for forgiveness, in the wake of a heavy Test series defeat to Australia and early World Twenty20 exit, by comfortably beating Sri Lanka in Thursday's rain-affected first ODI at The Oval in London.
