New Zealand's cricket ethos drew praise today from England captain Joe Root as he weighed up the difference between playing the Blacks Caps and Australia over the past four months. On the eve of their second Test against New Zealand in Christchurch, the last match of an arduous tour, Root cited a different atmosphere between the two sides. While the Ashes series in Australia was fraught with acrimony, the relationship between England and New Zealand was cordial throughout the first Test despite New Zealand's domination.

New Zealand's first Test victory and preparations for the second Test have been overshadowed in the news media by saturation coverage of the Australian ball-tampering scandal in South Africa. Cricket Australia have banned David Warner and captain Steve Smith from all international and domestic cricket for 12 months, and Cameron Bancroft for nine months.

Smith has been banned from the captaincy for at least two years, while Warner has been told he will never lead an Australia side again. Root described the penalties as making a statement to the cricket world. "The reaction that has been going on has been all to do with how people want to watch cricket so I think it's been quite a strong message for everyone," Root said, adding he was satisfied with how England played the game.