Straight to the pool room

Some very special souvenirs arrived at the NZC offices this week. When bowlers put in a five or ten wicket performance, the match ball is often returned to them, signed by the scorers, to go straight to the pool room.

Here's Tim Southee's match ball from his ten wicket haul at Lord's in May. Tim took 4/84 and 6/50, and took a permanent spot on the Lord's honours board.

Here's Tim taking delivery of the commemorative match ball at Lord's.

Also from the England tour, here's Trent Boult's match ball - he took 5/57 in the first innings at Headingley.

From the home summer, here's Trent Boult's ball from his 6/68 effort in the first innings in the third Test at Eden Park.

And from the 167 run win in the second Test v Sri Lanka, here's Tim Southee's ball from his 5/62 in Colombo.