Adrian Seconi

Perhaps it was the splint holding it in place but Black Caps top-order batsman Kane Williamson gave himself a cautious thumbs-up yesterday.

West Indies coach Ottis Gibson is not about to give spinners Shane Shillingford and Marlon Samuels the elbow just yet.

Kane Williamson's value to the Black Caps was underlined yesterday when he was named in the 13-strong squad, despite being an uncertain starter for the first test against the West Indies in Dunedin next week.

Dunedin's University Oval made its international debut in January 2008. There have been five tests at the venue and some terrific performances. Cricket writer Adrian Seconi reviews the top five individual efforts.

Hess knows every blade of grass at the University Oval, having circumnavigated it many times during his six-year stint as Otago coach.

When an incredulous opponent asked David Dougherty if he was paying the umpire, the 56-year-old woodwork teacher was happy to respond, ''Well, actually, I am.''

Jesse Ryder has made a wonderful start to his Otago career with a second hundred in just his second first-class game for the province.

Outclassed? Yes. But FootballSouth kept working hard in its final national league game of the season and was rewarded with a second-half goal against the talented Mainland Pride.

Josh Finnie loves a challenge - and the 16-year-old all-rounder will get one today.

This is the third year cricket writer Adrian Seconi has named his world test XI - and it does not get any easier.

Seven games in 11 glorious days.

What do Otago cricketers Jesse Ryder and Michael Bracewell have in common?

Victor Trumper did not need a mental skills coach.

You would expect a coach to be happy when his side has dismissed the opposition for 243.

Netball New Zealand chief executive Hilary Poole has not been in the job long enough to have created many memories.

The Duffys could be the next set of brothers to make a big impact for Otago cricket.

Otago has made two changes to the side which drew with Wellington at the Basin Reserve in the opening round of the Plunket Shield late last month.