Overview

Cricket is the highest profile summer sport in New Zealand. The national competition is not nearly as widely followed as is the case with rugby; but international matches are watched with interest by a large proportion of the population. Historically, the national cricket team has not been as successful as the national rugby team.

The New Zealand cricket team played their first Test in 1929-30 against England in Christchurch, New Zealand, becoming the fifth Test nation.

The current Test captain is Daniel Vettori. He replaces the Black Caps' most successful captain, Stephen Fleming who led New Zealand to 28 Test victories, more than twice as many as any other captain.

The New Zealand cricket team became known as the Black Caps in January 1998, after its sponsor at the time, Clear Communications, held a competition to choose a name for the team.