The quarter-finals of the Cricket World Cup begin tomorrow with none of the eight sides involved having an easy passage through the to semis.

New Zealand insist they'll respect the West Indies, do their due diligence, but much of their time this week will be making sure their game is in order.

After an enthralling period of pool play, the Cricket World Cup heads into the knock out phases this week.

Ross Taylor was our premier batsman for a long time and his class has carried him through until now. When his form struck a bump, insecurities bubbled over, writes Chris Rattue.

Games from now on will stay longer in the memory than all bar a small handful from pool play, writes David Leggat.

It says something about the NZ cricket team's form that Ross Taylor is under more scrutiny than anyone, if anecdotal feedback on talkback radio and social media is a gauge.

Swing bowling could prove the crucial factor in finding the winners of the Cricket World Cup.

Perfect is what I'd call Friday night's Cricket World Cup final group match, writes Mark Richardson.

Cricket fans are in countdown - it's just six more sleeps until the Black Caps' quest for World Cup glory hits the finals stage.

With Adam Milne sitting out the Bangladesh game as a precaution over a wonky right shoulder, in came Mitch McClenaghan for his first game in 42 days.

The Black Caps beat Bangladesh by three wickets in a tight match at Seddon Park to remain unbeaten at the World Cup.

Bangladesh have set the Black Caps 289 to win at Seddon Park in Hamilton.

The Herald's expert sports panel provides commentary on all the action from the Black Caps v Bangladesh World Cup match at Seddon Park in Hamilton today.

Brendon McCullum asked a curious question of Mitchell McClenaghan after one delivery in the nets on Wednesday morning at Seddon Park.

Brendon McCullum is becoming one of New Zealand sport's iconic leaders; Tim Southee and Trent Boult are a new-ball partnership for the ages; Kane Williamson is on a fast track to becoming the....

This is getting greedy, but New Zealand fans might consider asking captain Brendon McCullum to bowl Kane Williamson in one-day internationals.

The England cricket team are out of the Cricket World Cup 2015 after suffering a humiliating fourth defeat, and the overseas press are not holding back the punches.

Not so long ago, the talk was of New Zealand, South Africa and Australia in terms of who would be making a big push for the World Cup.

Forget the idea that certain batsmen aren't in the pink of form, or others could benefit from a decent length of time at the crease. Keep doing the business, writes David Leggat.

Change might be forced upon the New Zealand team for their final group A game against Bangladesh in Hamilton on Friday.

New Zealand accomplished some of the goals they had set for their match against Afghanistan, although perhaps not in the order they would have wanted.

New Zealand eased their way to a fifth straight World Cup win, beating Afghanistan by six wickets at a sun-drenched McLean Park today.

The Herald provides commentary on all the action in the Black Caps v Afghanistan Cricket World Cup match at McLean Park.

New Zealand have laid their cards on the table, choosing an unchanged XI for a fifth-straight game at the World Cup.

The rule of thumb in Napier is bat first every time on the best batting strip in the country. But Afghanistan's stronger suit is their bowling by some distance, writes David Leggat.