New Zealand's cricketers, men and women, have painted it black this summer.

For the first time, the national cricket teams for One-Day Internationals will be dressed entirely in black.

The new uniforms, which will make their debut in the CricInfo Women's World Cup, have been tested in the heat of South Africa by the Black Caps recently and have been given the thumbs up by the players.

The uniform has been created by Wstar of the Wellfit brand which is New Zealand Cricket's (NZC) new apparel sponsor.

Wstar managing director David Stiassny said the desire to have a black uniform needed a uniform with the highest level of comfort and requiring state-of-the-art performance from the fabric.

Defying long-standing beliefs that black uniforms attract heat, just like black boats wouldn't succeed in the America's Cup, Stiassny said the company had found a way.

"We have produced a fabric which is lightweight but extremely strong, and which transports moisture away from the skin and is 'breathable.' The yarn is shiny to reflect sunshine and mesh side panels improve the flow of air over the body," he said.

NZC chief executive Christopher Doig reflected on the history of New Zealand's pyjama uniforms for ODIs.

"We started out with a brown one, which was a bit of a hospital pass from Australia," he said.

Then grey became in vogue because of the belief that black could not be work in the hot environment in which cricket was played during the summer.

Doig said that not long after he took up his position he received a letter from a woman who pointed out that New Zealand played its cricket in a style which reflected the grey of its uniform.

"You are what you wear is a common statement," he said.

So New Zealand then went Pacific Blue with a stylised silver fern across the front of the uniform.

"That wasn't entirely reflective of us, or our national colour, and it wasn't popular as a supporters' garment.

"Our ideal was to try and follow the history and tradition of New Zealand, the All Blacks, the Silver Ferns, the rowing eight and now Rob Waddell.

"The fabrics of the time did not allow us to wear black and we challenged Wellfit to come up with designs that wouldn't impair our performance.

"It has been tested in the heat of South Africa. It is certainly smart, very fashionable and good for television presentation," he said.

Black Caps all-rounder Chris Harris said the top was the lightest shirt he had ever worn in cricket.

The men will use their black apparel for the first time in the home ODIs against Zimbabwe starting on January 2, 2001.

© CricInfo