Auckland: There was buzz. It was on the flight in to Auckland from Melbourne. It was in the airport with images of Kiwi cricketers staring at you from the walls and ATM screens. It was in the restaurant during breakfast. The city had taken on a festive look with beige shirts and green & gold shuffling in the CBD. Hours before the game, people with face paints and noisemakers streamed in to Eden Park to their seats to watch the resumption of the Trans-Tasman rivalry.

Tim Helm (right) with Kiwi friend Mel and Aussie mate Chris at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday