A relaxed Tony Abbott and John Key, jackets off, watched the start of the highly anticipated one-day cricket game at Eden Park in Auckland today.

It's rife in the club game, but is nowhere near as common as is believed at the top level, writes Kyle Mills.

Three NZME. cricket experts predict the outcome of today's Cricket World Cup match between the Black Caps and Australia.

Smaller boundaries and bigger bats have led to a huge increase in run rates but it’s not the full story...

NZ's most experienced cricket captain claims today's World Cup team to play Australia is "the best one-day international side we've put on a park".

Cricketing great Martin Crowe wants to see one thing only at Eden Park - a contest (preferably with a New Zealand win).

Without a doubt, today's Cricket World Cup clash between New Zealand and Australia at Eden Park is the match of the event to date.

Blair Christiansen who prepared Eden Park for today's big Black Caps clash answers our Q and A.

Dan Vettori has a long history with Australia - he's been playing them in One Day Internationals since 1997.

Cricket sledging is copping plenty of abuse these days. People don't see the funny side any more because from what we can gather, there isn't one. But it doesn't have to be this way.

The slegding between NZ and Australia that can be expected on Eden Park tomorrow began tonight between Prime Ministers John Key and Tony Abbott.

The six-legged oracle making predictions for the Cricket World Cup has turned his back on his country again.

"I'd like to see a contest, right down to the last few overs. It's what the World Cup needs." Cricketing great Martin Crowe wants to see one thing only at Eden Park.

Former Australian captain says Black Caps are favourites to win tomorrow, saying "It will be a parochial home crowd in Auckland. It's very difficult place to play and win over there."

Six people were wounded in celebratory gunfire as Afghanistan fans took to the streets to mark their team's Cricket World Cup victory.

There have been 16 one-day internationals between the teams, and New Zealand have won only five. Please make it six tomorrow.

So you've got your bright-orange T-shirt now how do you catch a million?

The result of tomorrow's game between the Black Caps and Australia doesn't really matter but it's one both sides will be desperate to win.

A mountain of anecdotal evidence and the build-up to tomorrow's World Cup grudge match at Eden Park all suggest that New Zealanders love Australia but can't stand Australians, writes Paul Thomas.

New Zealand and Australia are currently co-hosting the Cricket World Cup so perhaps this is an opportune time to ask a rather difficult question of our neighbours across the Tasman. Are we really working as a team?

Andrew Alderson on who is better: Brendon McCullum or Michael Clarke?