Cricket: Run-rate vital against 'minnows'

By RICHARD BOOCK in JOHANNESBURG

New Zealand will shoot for a target inside a target when their World Cup campaign resumes on Wednesday against lowly Bangladesh.

Not only do the New Zealanders need to win at Kimberley and take four precious competition points, they also have to win by as much as possible in order to boost their net run-rate - which could hold the key to their second-round hopes.

If two teams finish the group stage equal on points, the winners of the first-round contest will be ranked higher.

But if more than two teams are locked together, they will be separated by run-rate.

Bangladesh, who lost to South Africa yesterday by 10 wickets with 37 overs to spare, are almost certain to be beaten again by New Zealand, but a likely log-jam in group B means the margin will be just as relevant.

New Zealand coach Denis Aberhart said the games against the lesser-ranked nations might have once been seen as foregone conclusions, but were now carrying extra importance in terms of qualifying for the Super Six.

"It's vital that we win well for the sake of our run-rate, especially now that we all know we're not playing the game against Kenya, which would have been another good opportunity," said Aberhart.

"We're trailing the other contenders in run-rate right now but that's only because we've been playing some major heavyweights, and haven't yet had a chance against any of these so-called minnows."

He said the main emphasis at training had been concentrating on the basics, because it was equally important to respect the opposition and to prepare as well as possible, for the good of both the result and the run-rate. The players had been told that if they looked after the small tasks in their game, the run-rate would look after itself.

New Zealand had an open-wicket practice in Johannesburg yesterday and seem likely to head into Wednesday's match with close to their strongest line-up, although it would be no surprise to see Nathan Astle rested, given he is carrying a hernia and an injured knee.

Aberhart said concern had eased over Daniel Vettori's back complaint and the present break had been good for recovery.

However, Astle still needed to be treated carefully to ensure he made it through the tournament.

"We have to look after Nathan and we're still deciding whether or not to play him on Wednesday. He's facing two operations when he gets home but he's a key player for us, and as such we want to make sure we have him available when we need him most."

If Astle is rested, the selectors would probably replace him with either Mathew Sinclair or Chris Harris, both of whom need to be given some sort of game-time if they are to provide useful back-up later in the tournament.

Aberhart said the objectives for the remaining games against Bangladesh and Canada had now become far more demanding, and that any initial thoughts of cruising through the contests had quickly disappeared.

"We haven't yet finalised the side to play Bangladesh on Wednesday but we see it as an important game and subsequently are leaning towards putting our best side on the park.

"It might be unfortunate for some players - they might go through the entire campaign without getting a game - but we're obliged to make whatever decision is best for the team in terms of progressing in the tournament.

"On the other hand, we've got genuine competition between the players throughout the squad, and we're confident that whoever we pick to do a job, whether it's Mathew Sinclair or Kyle Mills, they'll be up to the task."


World Cup schedule

Points table