Red-hot New Zealand aiming for the quarters

Vettori to miss match against Canada today.

NEW DEHLI:

New Zealand are hot favourites to seal a place in the knockout round when they face Canada today but will have to do it without injured captain Daniel Vettori.

Defeat in the Wankhede Stadium will be a major shock for the Black Caps, who have a total of six points. Their only blemish so far was a seven-wicket defeat against Australia.

Vice-captain Ross Taylor will lead the side full of confidence after starring in the win over Pakistan, smashing 131 in 124 balls.

Vettori left the field during the match after injuring his right knee and a scan showed the left-arm spinner had a mild strain of his post cruciate ligament and is targeting a return in the final group match against Sri Lanka on March 18.

Canada have no realistic chance of qualifying for the last-eight but come into the match with confidence after registering their first win against Group A whipping boys Kenya.

Aside from that win, Canada have crashed to Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe before putting up more of a fight against Pakistan.

But Canada captain Ashish Bagai said the victory over Kenya would spur his team to perform well.

“We are looking to use this as a spark for the second half of the first round. My goal now is to get the batsmen who are performing to be consistent and leave the first round on a high,” said Bagai.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 13^th, 2011.