BLACKCAPS captain Stephen Fleming is relishing his team’s Tri-Series run-in even more after England’s shock victory over Australia raised the stakes.
The New Zealanders take on the hosts in Melbourne on Sunday, and face a team smarting from a first defeat on home soil this summer following England’s bonus-point win in Sydney.
However, Fleming says the increased pressure can play into the BLACKCAPS’ hands at the MCG.
He said: “This is what we wanted. We wanted it to be like a semi-final, a pressure game where we continue the momentum we built.
“That’s what the World Cup’s about. If anything, we could not ask for much more.
“It’s uncomfortable, because we want to win these next two games, but we certainly don’t want to miss out on the finals so we’ll have to play accordingly.”
Team selection against the hosts will depend on whether Scott Styris is ready to return after missing most of the BLACKCAPS season to date, and bowling options.
The latter will depend on the MCG pitch, while Fleming and the selectors will mull over the former overnight.
He said: “Scotty doesn’t come straight right back into the side. I think you may expect him to, but that will not be the case.
“He’ll be discussed, as would al the guys when they come back in, how it fits into the long-term programme.”
Fleming did hint that Styris was likely to contest with fellow all-rounder Craig McMillan for a place in the XI.
“Scotty will bat middle to lower order, four downwards, so that’s where the debate will take place,” he said.
“They’re the same kind of players, so you would imagine they would go up against in competition.
“Craig’s done well on the slower pitches. Scott, as we know, probably does a little bit more with the ball to full fitness.
“Scott’s come back in domestic cricket and done well, but it’s a different kettle of fish playing at the MCG in international cricket, so we’ve got to make sure that we build Scotty’s levels back up to international standard. When we’re sure of that, he’ll get a run.
“It does take a bit get back into it. The team moves on while you’re injured and not playing and you do have to get up to speed with the systems we’re working on off the field.
“Kyle Mills is a good example. He said Perth was tough, and he’s better off for the run. I guess that’s an example of how tough it is to get up to speed.”
Andrew Symonds, injured at the SCG, is a doubt for the finals series, while Victoria’s Brad Hodge has returned to the squad to cover for captain Ricky Ponting, who has a hip injury.
BLACKCAPS (from): Stephen Fleming (captain), Lou Vincent, Ross Taylor, Peter Fulton, Jacob Oram, Craig McMillan, Brendon McCullum, Daniel Vettori, James Franklin, Shane Bond, Mark Gillespie, Jeetan Patel, Kyle Mills, Michael Mason, Scott Styris.
Australia (from): R Ponting (captain), A Gilchrist, M Hussey, B Hodge, M Hayden, M Clarke, S Clark, G McGrath, S Tait, B Lee, N Bracken, B Hogg, M Johnson, C White, B Hilfenhaus.
