New Zealand Face England in Do or Die game

Johannesburg: England and New Zealand want to maintain run-rich form when they clash on Tuesday at the Wanderers in the final Group B fixture of the ICC Champions Trophy.

It was the highest tally so far in the One-day extravaganza, eclipsing the 319 made by Sri Lanka in the opening match en route to a surprise victory over South Africa.

"That batting performance was the best I can remember from England. Owais (Shah) took control, clearing the boundary so many times, well backed up by Paul (Collingwood) and Eoin (Morgan)," boasted skipper Andrew Strauss.

Shah, 98-run catalyst of the second highest Champions Trophy innings after the 347 posted by New Zealand against the United States at The Oval five years ago, echoed South Africa-born Strauss.

"The Australia series was not good for our batsmen. Coming to South Africa our confidence was low. We needed to go out, play with freedom and express ourselves."

New Zealand also smashed the 300-run barrier Sunday against Sri Lanka, amassing 315 for 7 to win by 38 runs. Another victory against England will take them into the knockout phase of the four-million-dollar tournament.

However, if the 'Black Caps' lose at the 30,000-capacity home of South Africa cricket, hyper-erratic Sri Lanka will cling to second spot on net run rate and squeeze through.

England have been the revelation of the second most important national team ODI tournament after the World Cup, outplaying Sri Lanka and a South African team ranked number one in the world within 72 hours.

They and Pakistan are the only countries never to have lifted the Champions Trophy since its introduction 11 years ago and a 6-1 series thrashing from Australia preceded the flight to Johanneburg.

New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori finally saw his batsmen click against Sri Lanka, but 74-run lead scorer Jesse Ryder has been ruled out of the tournament by a hamstring strain.

Lady luck has jilted the Kiwis, who choose from a limited base, as bowler Jacob Oram also had to return home early through injury and has been replaced by James Franklin.

Vettori shrugged off the blows: "At least we hold our fate in our own hands. If we defeat England we reach the semi-finals and if we lose we go home. We are ready."

After worrying about an inability to build partnerships, New Zealand concerns now centre on fast bowler Shane Bond, whose 9-0-82-0 figures Sunday followed an almost equally unflattering return against South Africa.

Team news

England: The Wanderers has offered plenty of help for the quicks so England will stick with four pacemen. One change of bowling personnel could be Ryan Sidebottom for Graham Onions if Andrew Strauss wants more control, while the health of Matt Prior will be monitored after he was taken ill on the eve of the South Africa game.

Squad (likely): Andrew Strauss (capt), Joe Denly, Owais Shah, Paul Collingwood, Eoin Morgan (wk), Ravi Boapra Luke Wright, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, James Anderson, Ryan Sidebottom.

New Zealand: With Ryder ruled out, New Zealand will need a new opener. Aaron Redmond has been called into the squad. Other options are reserve keeper Gareth Hopkins or allrounder Brendon Diamanti to come into the middle order and Guptill to open the batting.

Squad (likely): Brendon McCullum, Aaron Redmond, Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor, Grant Elliott, Neil Broom, Daniel Vettori (capt), James Franklin, Kyle Mills, Shane Bond, Daryl Tuffey.

Pitch and conditions
Both teams have enjoyed the Wanderers - each winning their previous match on the ground - and the extra bounce will keep the quicks interested. However, runs have also flowed when the bowling has been off line.

Stats and trivia

• The two sides have met in 69 ODIs, with New Zealand leading the head-to-head 34-29 along with two ties and four no results.
• In multi-team tournaments (of five or more sides) there have been seven meetings with New Zealand ahead 4-3.

Match facts
Sunday, September 29, 2009 (day/night)
Start time 2:30pm, 12:30 GMT

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