To an over of cricket nuggets..

Henry Nicholls will captain Canterbury in the Ford Trophy and Plunket Shield domestic competitions this summer.

He replaces Cole McConchie, who will remain skipper for the Super Smash.

The Ford Trophy starts tomorrow, Canterbury play Otago in Christchurch, Central Districts face Wellington in New Plymouth, and Auckland host Northern Districts.



New Zealand are effectively out of semi-final contention with a game to play at the women's World Cup after losing to India by 53 runs via the Duckworth-Lewis method in Mumbai.



Spring rain has thwarted the third of six scheduled Black Caps T20 internationals this month - the latest soggy chapter occurred against England in Auckland with the visitors securing the three-match series 1-nil.



South Africa have eased to an eight-wicket win over Pakistan on the fourth day of the second test in Rawalpindi, to tie the two-match series.



Australia have taken an unassailable 2-nil lead in their three-match 50-over series against India, courtesy of a two-wicket win chasing 265 in Adelaide.