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ST JOHN'S, Antigua - Stephen Fleming admits a cricket World Cup semifinals berth is almost within New Zealand's grasp after just one match in the Super Eights format.
The Blacks Caps' seven-wicket win over the West Indies at Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground here today has them topping the standings with Australia, who beat the flagging tournament hosts by 103 runs on an adjacent pitch yesterday.
New Zealand is one of four teams to start the tournament's second stage with a two-point head start after winning their group.
By beating the West Indies today they have four points ahead of what should be victories over their next two opponents -- minnows Bangladesh and Ireland.
Should those games pan out as expected, the Black Caps will have eight points before they finish their Super Eights schedule against Sri Lanka, South Africa and the other side currently with four points -- Australia.
Fleming thought eight points could be enough to make the final four next month though 10 was probably the optimum figure.
"It's still pretty hard to work out. Eight with a good run rate could be enough but it could be a logjam. Ideally we need 10," he said.
New Zealand play Bangladesh here on Monday (Tuesday NZT) and then travel to Guyana to take on shock qualifiers Ireland on April 9.
By beating England in St Lucia during group play in their tournament opener, the Black Caps carried over a vital two points while today's victory will also be beneficial down the track as most sides will expect to beat the two surviving minnows.
"If we continue the way we're playing we're not far away (from the semis)," a delighted Fleming said after denting the West Indies' chances of progressing.
"I think that's the exciting thing, each game you tick off it becomes one closer to the semifinals, but the final is what we're after."
He also sounded a note of caution ahead of playing Bangladesh, given the Black Caps lost their warm-up match against them by two wickets in Barbados this month.
"We know we've got a couple of tricky encounters. Bangladesh tripped us up in the warm-up match.
"Ireland have obviously tested Pakistan and in the right conditions can be tricky."
Fleming said run rates could also be a decisive factor so Scott Styris and Craig McMillan were today under instructions to knock off the 178 runs required as soon as possible.
"Part of the reason we put the foot down is run rates may come into it as well so we wanted to finish the game after we felt we'd won it, or got in a position we couldn't lose it," Fleming said.
After making a patient start to their pursuit after losing two early wickets, McMillan and Styris made short work of the 101 required after Fleming was run out for 45.
They passed the total with 10.2 overs to spare.
New Zealand have an optional training session tomorrow and no fresh injury concerns though Brendon McCullum took a knock on a thumb while wicketkeeping.
- NZPA
