New Black Caps captain Brendon McCullum says this is hardly how he wanted the job, but maintains he had no role in the dumping of Ross Taylor.

New Zealand cricket coach Mike Hesson has confirmed he told Ross Taylor on the eve of a test match that he wanted a change in captaincy.

It's easy to forget amid the furore surrounding the captaincy, but the Black Caps' approaching tour of South Africa will have a few new faces.

Ross Taylor will take a break from cricket after he was dumped as captain of the Black Caps, in favour of Brendon McCullum.

Splitting the captaincy between incumbent Ross Taylor and rival Brendon McCullum is emerging as the favoured outcome from the New Zealand leadership shambles.

Sri Lanka dropped anchor in the second test in Colombo in the hope of batting out for a draw, but New Zealand overcame the hosts for a 167-run victory.

For two sessions tonight (NZT), the New Zealand cricketers might have worried they could be the victims of a second extraordinary draw in a week.

New ball pair Tim Southee and Trent Boult dramatically sliced through Sri Lanka's top order in the second test at Colombo, giving the Black Caps the edge.

New Zealand's hopes of posting a consolation win against Sri Lanka were shattered by rain as the fifth and final one-dayer was called off after 28.3 overs.

BJ Watling has perhaps been the only Black Cap to enhance his reputation in Sri Lanka, something he hopes to continue in tonight's final one-dayer.