Adrian Seconi

The thing with New Year's resolutions is most of us have rather modest goals.

Most of us take the day off if our stomachs feel a bit queasy or we have a headache.

The good news is the Otago Nuggets have re-signed promising trio James Ross, Riki Buckrell and Sam King. They have inked one-year deals with the franchise.

Redemption is an overused concept in sport. And making good is a darker route to motivation than drawing inspiration from past successes.

In some ways, former Otago Nuggets player Leonard King feels likes he never left Dunedin.

Achievement is a funny thing.

Otago rider James Williamson has been left stunned at news his team, Pure Black Racing, is unlikely to compete internationally next year.

A lot has changed for Dimitri Mascarenhas since he last played for Otago.

Plenty of words came to mind following the Black Caps' humiliating nine-wicket loss to Australia last week. Most could not be published. But a quick brush-up on vocabulary before the second test starting in Hobart today certainly seems appropriate. Cricket writer Adrian Seconi offers his suggestions.

Former New Zealand and Otago left-armer Shayne O'Connor believes the right decision was made to remove Molyneux Park from the domestic schedule this season.

Form - it can desert you without warning and return just as suddenly.

We never doubted them. Well, maybe a little bit. But the Black Caps' historic seven-run win against Australia in Hobart yesterday has made believers of us all.

Phoenix talisman Paul Ifill is Mr Popular this week.

When your side posts a score of more than 300 you do not expect to make a losing speech.

The Otago Sparks crashed to their sixth consecutive loss as the Auckland Hearts cruised to an eight-wicket win in a twenty/20 game at Melville Park yesterday.

Natasha Miles probably thought her work was done for the day.

The last thing Otago wanted was a day off yesterday.

Domestic cricket could return to Molyneux Park as early as next season, New Zealand Cricket grounds and facilities manager Ian McKendry says.

A slice of luck, an act of brilliance, it all counts. But so does experience and that is where Otago should have the wood over Canterbury.