3.00pm - by MARK GEENTY
BLOEMFONTEIN - New Zealand have been idling in neutral for nearly three weeks but insist it won't be hard to rush straight back to top gear at the cricket World Cup.
The topsy-turvy pool draw handed the Black Caps has again done them no favours as they
eye three Super Six matches in seven days, starting against Zimbabwe at Goodyear Park tomorrow (9pm NZ time).
The highs didn't get much bigger for the tight-knit unit than their nine-wicket stroll over South Africa at The Wanderers on February 16, but the engine has largely been confined to the garage since.
A defaulted match against Kenya and the accompanying fallout, then two annoying outings against Bangladesh and Canada which in the end proved meaningless, have been New Zealand's lot.
Then there was the agonising wait in front of the television on Monday to see if the team were on the next plane home, but the Durban rain confirmed New Zealand's Super Six place.
Allrounder Jacob Oram, New Zealand's leading wicket-taker with 11, said despite the inactivity, the team were feeding off the emotions of their South African high to get them back on track.
"Our momentum was at its peak after the South African game. We were basically at the bottom of the heap after losing to Sri Lanka, it was must-win from there," Oram said.
"It was a huge win against the West Indies then The Wanderers was massive against South Africa. We were on a high, then to have a 10-day break we dropped down a level and that showed against Bangladesh and Canada.
"We can't take a lot of confidence from those games and we have to find a way to get ourselves up for this.... but it won't be difficult."
The abiding theme among the players is they are closer together than ever before.
Oram agreed and said the off-field events in the past few weeks had played their part.
"Everyone realises how important it is, we've come too far and been through so much with the South Africa win, the Durban nightclub, the Kenyan issue, then waiting for the South Africa-Sri Lanka game the other night.
"Our emotions have gone through a rollercoaster and we've done too much work to let it go."
New Zealand should topple Zimbabwe who only have wins over Namibia and Holland to show for their pool matches.
Then looms Australia and India, teams that don't scare New Zealand but who are still the two form sides of the tournament.
An unchanged team is likely for tomorrow, with injured pair Lou Vincent and Kyle Mills probably sidelined again and Chris Harris retaining his place after a useful showing against Canada.
There are six survivors from the last time the sides met at Eden Park two years ago, when Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak's 79 off 67 balls led them to a 2-1 series upset.
But things have changed since then and a confident New Zealand believe they will turn the tables against Streak and key batsman Andy Flower.
"People are saying we're a better side and I think we are. It's a huge game for us and we have to win every one from here to hopefully push up to second or third for semis," Oram said.
New Zealand start the Super Six on just four points for their wins against non-qualifiers, and require at least two wins for a semifinal spot, or three if they are to avoid a semifinal against Australia.
Top semifinal qualifiers play fourth in Port Elizabeth, and second play third in Durban, a semifinal New Zealand would much prefer against either Sri Lanka or India.
New Zealand medical staff face a tough week nursing their players through three matches, with some carrying flu symptoms and others minor injury niggles.
Coach Denis Aberhart said Nathan Astle, still battling a hernia and a chronic knee problem, would play tomorrow but from then on was a "game-by-game proposition".
New Zealand (likely):
Stephen Fleming (captain), Craig McMillan, Nathan Astle, Scott Styris, Chris Cairns, Brendon McCullum, Chris Harris, Jacob Oram, Daniel Vettori, Andre Adams, Shane Bond.
Zimbabwe (from):
Heath Streak (captain), Craig Wishart, Grant Flower, Dion Ebrahim, Andy Flower, Mark Vermeulen, Guy Whittall, Andy Blignaut, Sean Ervine, Tatenda Taibu, Doug Marillier, Travis Friend, Brian Murphy, Doug Hondo, Henry Olonga.
Umpires: Rudi Koertzen (South Africa), Darrell Hair (Australia). Third umpire: Asoka de Silva (Sri Lanka).
- NZPA
World Cup schedule
Points table
Cricket: Emotions set to charge up Black Caps
3.00pm - by MARK GEENTY
BLOEMFONTEIN - New Zealand have been idling in neutral for nearly three weeks but insist it won't be hard to rush straight back to top gear at the cricket World Cup.
The topsy-turvy pool draw handed the Black Caps has again done them no favours as they
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