Reluctant traveller Jesse Ryder is back in the Otago side for their T20 game against Canterbury tomorrow.

It was impressively hot when my friends and I arrived in Melbourne. We were picked up by Anthony from Melbourne Sports Tours for a look at some stadiums and tracks.

If opener Tom Latham cements himself at the crease again this evening, he stands to become the youngest New Zealander to make a test double century.

Tom Latham has played a compelling opening hand to deliver New Zealand first day honours at 243 for three in the second test against Pakistan.

The scoreboard was on first name terms with 'Tom' and 'Kane' as the pair amassed 76 for the second wicket as part of New Zealand's 160 for two at tea on the opening day of the second test against Pakistan.

Regardless of whether batting, bowling or fielding was the root cause, NZ were routed by 248 runs in the first cricket test against Pakistan.

NZ have lost the opening test of the series against Pakistan by 248 runs but it came amid a fighting final partnership of 54 between Ish Sodhi and Trent Boult.

NZ's second innings capitulation overnight on the fourth day of the first test suggests the chasm in ability is wide compared to Pakistan.

New Zealand, led by captain and opener Brendon McCullum, launched an attack on Pakistan’s bowlers last night as they attempted to survive the four-and-a-half remaining sessions in the first test.

The players are the best judge but the Abu Dhabi wicket didn't look like it had somehow drawn on a menacing cloak heading into the third day.

Pakistani batsman Ahmed Shehzad suffered a minor fracture to the skull after taking a Corey Anderson bouncer to the temple.

Martin Guptill can hardly help but hear the criticism when he fails at the batting crease.