CRICKET/Third Test: England's players conducted a private service to celebrate the life of Ben Hollioake yesterday following his tragic loss in a car crash last weekend.

Every member of England's squad, except captain Nasser Hussain, who is returning from Perth after attending Hollioake's memorial service on Wednesday as the team's representative, was present at the ceremony at the Michael Joseph Savage Memorial Gardens at Bastion Point near Auckland harbour.

The service, written by former Worcestershire secretary, the Rev Mike Vockins, was conducted by operations manager Phil Neale, who read a tribute and prayer to Hollioake. Surrey team-mate Mark Butcher also performed an emotional rendition of Bob Marley's Redemption Song to complete the service, which was held at the same time as Hollioake's cremation in Perth.

Meanwhile, fast bowler Andy Caddick has provocatively described New Zealand as a "bits-and-pieces" side who cannot match England man-for-man. With the third Test starting on Saturday, it is hard to argue.

New Zealand are in their annual hunt for injury replacements, but that cannot hide the fact they were outplayed in Christchurch and outgunned in Wellington in all but one session. If England's focus has not been blurred by the death of Hollioake, only a supreme New Zealand optimist will expect the home side to level the series in the final game in Auckland.