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New Zealand keen to cover all angles against Kenya at World Cup

GROS ISLET, St. Lucia (AP) _ After beating England, the last thing New Zealand wants is to let up against Kenya on Tuesday.

``It can be a fine line in these games,'' New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming said. ``Pressure plays a major part, teams get tense and when you give an opportunity to the so-called minnow, they're in a better position to take it these days.''

Both New Zealand and Kenya won their opening matches in Group C of the Cricket World Cup and both want to carry points into the Super 8 stage.

New Zealand beat England, while Kenya defeated Canada. England rallied from its opening loss to beat Canada on Sunday, meaning three teams have two points.

``We have to win that match, just in case it's Kenya that qualifies,'' New Zealand coach Bracewell said. ``We've got a reasonable run rate to take through with us as well if it's England that qualifies, but we have to make sure we get our two points against Kenya.''

Confidence is high in the New Zealand camp after its six-wicket victory over England on Friday.

Fast bowler Shane Bond removing the key wickets of Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff in the space of four balls, and Scott Styris took 2-25 before scoring 87 to pace the Kiwis.

While seven members of the England team were disciplined for a drinking binge that lasted into Saturday's early hours after the loss, the New Zealand side celebrated realtively quietly at their hotel.

``We had a couple of beers at the house bar and that was it,'' Fleming said. ``We were pretty excited with the win . . . but it's by no means job done.''

With the Black Caps' most important group game wrapped up, Bracewell may experiment.

``The Kenya, Canada games we'll make sure probably the whole squad will get a run,'' Bracewell said.

That could mean a start for batsman Peter Fulton, who was left out against England. Although pace bowler Mark Gillespie is unlikely to play despite improving from the viral infection that was numbing the nerves of his bowling arm. He's back bowling but is still struggling to throw.

The other player to miss out against England was fast bowler Daryl Tuffey.

Bracewell has been briefed on Kenya by Andy Moles, who coached Kenya from 2003-2005, before former West Indies off-spinner Roger Harper took over.

Kenya captain Steve Tikolo trained Monday with his right calf wrapped in a bandage, but plans to face New Zealand. He scored an unbeaten 72 and took 2-34 in the seven-wicket win over Canada on Wednesday.

``When I was bowling the second over against Canada I just had a muscle pull,'' Tikolo said. ``It's been sore for the last two days but it should be right tomorrow.''

Tikolo said spinners Hiren Varaiya and Jimmy Kamande again would be key on the slow pitch.

``We'll try and look at our own game, getting the basics right,'' Tikolo said. ``Just with more intensity.''

Kenya was a surprise semifinalist in 2003 and Tikolo, at his fourth World Cup, isn't ruling out a repeat despite five of his players juggling cricket with day jobs.

``It's going to be a tough game,'' he said. ``We're not lying to ourselves but we're confident that we trained well coming into this tournament.

``One-day cricket being what it is, anything can happen on the day. We might walk out with a victory.''

___

New Zealand

(From): Lou Vincent, Stephen Fleming (capt.), Ross Taylor, Scott Styris, Peter Fulton, Craig McMillan, Jacob Oram, Brendon McCullum, Daniel Vettori, Shane Bond, James Franklin, Jeetan Patel.

Kenya

(Likely): David Obuya, Maurice Ouma, Ravi Shah, Steve Tikolo (capt.), Tamanay Mishra, Collins Obuya, Thomas Odoyo, Jimmy Kamande, Nehemiah Odhiambo, Peter Ongondo, Hiren Varaiya.


© The Canadian Press, 2007

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End: New Zealand keen to cover all angles against Kenya at World Cup
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