New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming has said his team is capable of winning
the ICC CWC for the first time if they maintain their momentum.
New
Zealand kept their unbeaten record intact when they whipped debutants Ireland by
129 runs here on Monday to post their sixth successive victory in the
tournament, including three in the group.
Defending champions Australia
and New Zealand are the only unbeaten sides with eight points from four matches.
One more win will assure them of a place in the semi-finals.
"We know we
are capable of winning it. I think we are better prepared this time. We are in
the semi-finals or close to it by winning one more game. We've got three tough
games," said Fleming.
New Zealand are now just one short of equalling
their 10-match winning run of 2004, having already beaten Australia three times
at home before the ICC CWC.
Fleming said his team were close to solving
their fitness problems ahead of a heavy schedule.
New Zealand are not
sweating over batsman Ross Taylor who has missed the last four games due a
hamstring injury, sustained during his half-century against Kenya in a group
match.
"The fitness of the side is quite good. We are getting guys who
are quite close. I think Taylor is close (to regaining fitness)," said
Fleming.
"We are getting back to full fitness at the right time. We have
a heavy schedule now, with three games against three top sides. We have our work
cut out for us, but it has been a good run so far," said Fleming.
New
Zealand will now meet Sri Lanka, South Africa and Australia in the last three
games in Grenada.
Fleming said he was pleased with his team's
power-hitting on a slow track at a crucial stage against Ireland.
"That
is our positive and it has been a strength for some time. Our ability to hit the
ball at the death period of an innings has been very strong," said the New
Zealand captain.
"It was another example of how it can get you out of
trouble and win you matches. In that five-over period, I think we put on about
50 runs, which in most games is going to leave you in a pretty good
spot."
New Zealand were struggling for runs before wicket-keeper Brendon
McCullum and lower-order batsman James Franklin put on a brisk 71 for the eighth
wicket to help their team post a challenging 263-8.
McCullum hit a
37-ball 47 and Franklin a 22-ball 34 not out as New Zealand plundered 45 in the
last three overs.
"The fact that we got to 263 is a testament to our
power-hitting and McCullum's ability to hit the ball over the rope and into the
gaps at the death," said Fleming.
"He is a good hitter of the ball. We’ve
got some good hitters down the order and we just need to make sure we get into a
position where we can use them properly.
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