The New Zealand cricket team, also known as the BLACKCAPS, played their first Test in 1929-30 against England in Christchurch, New Zealand, becoming the fifth Test nation. It took the team until 1955-56 to win a Test, against the West Indies at Eden Park in Auckland. They played their first ODI in the 1972-73 season against Pakistan in Christchurch. The national team is organized by New Zealand Cricket.

The current Test, One Day & Twenty20 captain is Daniel Vettori. He replaced the Black Caps' most successful captain, Stephen Fleming, who led New Zealand to 28 Test victories, more than twice as many as any other captain. Vettori lost his first match as captain (vs South Africa) by 358 runs, New Zealand's worst ever defeat by runs.The New Zealand cricket team became known as the Black Caps in January 1998, after its sponsor at the time.