Cricket World Cup: Middle must deliver

Luke Ronchi should get an opportunity to spend some time at the crease today. Photo / Getty Images

There's probably no need for a toss in today's World Cup game at McLean Park - New Zealand will bat first if they win it and Afghanistan will surely want to field first.

The rule of thumb in Napier is bat first every time on the best batting strip in the country. But Afghanistan's stronger suit is their bowling by some distance.

If they batted first, a bad first hour against Tim Southee and Trent Boult and it'd be off to a winery by mid-afternoon -- ordinarily nothing wrong with that, but not if it's cricket they're about.

Captain Brendon McCullum declared his intentions yesterday, and that directly correlates with one area New Zealand want to fix.

Their middle order have spent precious little time in the middle thus far, so today's game shapes as a good opportunity for Ross Taylor, Grant Elliott and Luke Ronchi to get their bearings with a decent innings.

When told concerns voiced by the likes of former South African great Shaun Pollock over New Zealand's batting capability beyond No 3 Kane Williamson, McCullum responded: "We'll see.

"The nature of how we've played games of late, and being able to have success bowling first, has meant the batting hasn't been as challenged as other teams in the competition.

"We'll never know until we get in those situations, but I'm confident the guys we've got are very good players, and very good under pressure. And we'll see how that stands up in the coming weeks."

Plan A is working splendidly for New Zealand so far and McCullum confirmed it will be full steam ahead again today with a forthright approach.

"We'll still try to operate the same way. That's a style that sits well with us. We feel it gives us our best possible chance.

"The aggressive, or positive, mindset we're going into games with is not always going to work, but it's the best method of play for us and we'll continue to play like that."

Allrounder Corey Anderson took a painful blow on a hand during fielding practice yesterday, but continued taking a full part in practice and is expected to take his place in the side today.

Afghanistan coach Andy Moles, former coach of New Zealand, is a forceful advocate for his new team.

Their first appearance at the World Cup was always going to be a challenge, but they've nailed their first win (over Scotland) and had a royal chance of a second (over Sri Lanka), but got a serious touch-up from Australia in Perth on Wednesday.

"They are very passionate, proud people and their history back home shows they're full of fight," Moles said. "We have come a long way in a short time. We know we're in for a tough examination tomorrow but we're looking forward to putting our best foot forward."

Moles said there was a pile of positives to take out of the tournament and serious learnings to be gained from playing top-class opposition in a range of conditions.

They have three bowlers -- Shapoor Zadran, Dawlat Zadran and Hamid Hassan -- who deliver at 140km/h and present distinctly different challenges. Samiullah Shenwari, who oversaw the win over Scotland in the closing overs, is by some distance their most accomplished batsman.

Consistency is a quality they are striving for.

Talks are taking place with "four or five" countries about more access to international opponents. They need it, but this has been an encouraging opening step.

After New Zealand, they face England in Sydney on March 13. Given England's woeful form, Afghanistan might fancy their chances.

Today should be well beyond them but McCullum insists they'll be respected.

Given their history, resilience and sheer exuberance for the game, they deserve nothing less.

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