KEY POINTS:
ST JOHN'S, Antigua - Injuries and inclement weather have combined to mar their build-up, but Stephen Fleming is confident a remodelled New Zealand will hold their impressive form at the cricket World Cup.
Their quest for a semifinal berth starts against the West Indies here on Thursday (1.30am
Friday NZT).
Batsman Hamish Marshall touched down under leaden skies late today, completing the long journey from Auckland to replace an injured Lou Vincent only to learn that his only opportunity to practise with the team before taking on the West Indies has been jeopardised by an unfavourable forecast.
Rain is expected to continue falling in Antigua tomorrow and even if it does clear, the Black Caps will not be able to acquaint themselves with the new venue.
Rain stopped the match between the West Indies and Australia today and tomorrow the hosts will begin their chase for 323 to win, weather permitting.
A disrupted practice schedule and the fact Marshall is coming in cold could not, however, dent Fleming's enthusiasm leading into a match where victory could virtually cement a place in the final four.
If New Zealand can continue their recent one-day dominance over the West Indies -- they won their last series 4-1 at home last March -- and then knock off minnows Bangladesh and Ireland, they will have eight points before heading to Grenada for three matches against Sri Lanka, South Africa and Australia.
Winning their opening three matches is an assignment Fleming believes is well within the Black Caps' capabilities despite the loss of Lou Vincent to a broken wrist and Ross Taylor's unavailability due to a hamstring strain.
Fleming credited the oft-criticised player rotation policy for ensuring Marshall and Peter Fulton were well equipped to slot into the top order.
"The teams we've put out over the last 12 months .... Hamish was part of that, Pete's played up and down the order knowing he was going to be a utility batter.
"So we're well catered for and if anything it (vindicates) our plans in using players in other positions before we came away.
"If we only had one team set to win the World Cup, the injuries would have been a surprise but there's a number of players that can fill roles and we've seen them come to the fore now."
Fulton will open the innings for just the second time in his 29-game ODI career while Marshall, jettisoned during the Australian Tri-Series after an insignificant summer with the bat, will replace Taylor at first drop.
Fleming said the pair would be under instructions to play conservatively, particularly during the opening overs of the innings.
"We know we have to get through the first four or five overs, certainly in St Lucia they were important.
"If it's set up well at the top then we've shown our middle and lower order can be quite devastating.
"If we do it properly at the top, then those guys will have a positive finish to our innings."
Meanwhile, New Zealand sent manager Lindsay Crocker to scout the pitch during Australia's innings of 322 for eight and he has few concerns about a surface being used for the first time at international level.
"It looks very similar to what we've already experienced here before, it plays well," he said.
With the wicket on offer again of the low and slow variety, the chances of second spinner Jeetan Patel appear to have been enhanced at the expense of Michael Mason although West Indian spinners Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels made a negligible impact against Australia today.
Gayle's four overs cost 29 while Samuels took one for 58 off nine.
New Zealand (from): Stephen Fleming (captain), Peter Fulton, Hamish Marshall, Scott Styris, Craig McMillan, Jacob Oram, Brendon McCullum, Daniel Vettori, James Franklin, Shane Bond, Jeetan Patel, Michael Mason.
- NZPA
