The BLACKCAPS open their ICC World Cup 2007 bid against familiar rivals England in the less recognizable surroundings of St Lucia.
Stephen Fleming’s side come into their opening Group C tie at the Caribbean island’s Beausejour Ground with a wealth of knowledge on Michael Vaughan’s team.
The English completed two victories over the Kiwis in the Tri-Series in Australia last month, en route to their shock victory over Australia in the final.
However, this match is as much as about revenge for the BLACKCAPS as earning vital competition points.
Strike bowler Shane Bond said: "A win gives you some momentum going into the next round, it means you are not trying to catch up a game and you can afford to drop one extra game in the Super Eight.
"Also when you play the minnows you don't want to go in with a must-win attitude."
Selections puzzles for the opening game had been complicated by injury, but Craig McMillan, Peter Fulton and Jacob Oram have all been cleared to play.
McMillan showed little discomfort when batting, bowling and fielding at the team's practice this morning. He has bruising to his right big toe, suffered when hit by a Shane Bond yorker at practice yesterday.
Fulton, who broke a bone in his little finger when taking a catch against Sri Lanka in a warm-up game in Barbados last week, also negotiated practice with little discomfort. Oram's broken finger is being managed, with only Mark Gillespie has been ruled out with his injured shoulder.
Gillespie will definitely not start, while McMillan’s bruised foot will be reassessed ahead of the game. The outcome is more encouraging for the latter pair.
Spinner Jeetan Patel is a likely inclusion in the XI, given the pitch conditions around the West Indies have given encouragement to the slower bowlers.
England was given an injury scare when fast bowler James Anderson was taken to hospital with a finger injury.
The Lancashire quick sustained the injury to the little finger of his left hand while fielding during practice.
Jon Lewis, Sajid Mahmood and Liam Plunkett will be in contention for two places should the 24-year-old be unable to play.
The match commences at 2.30am Saturday NZ Time, and will be available to follow online at BLACKCAPS.co.nz, on Radio Sport and live on Sky Sports TV.
BLACKCAPS (from): Stephen Fleming (captain), Shane Bond, James Franklin, Peter Fulton, Michael Mason, Brendon McCullum, Craig McMillan, Jacob Oram, Jeetan Patel, Scott Styris, Ross Taylor, Daryl Tuffey, Daniel Vettori, Lou Vincent.
England (from): Michael Vaughan (captain), James Anderson, Ian Bell, Ravinder Bopara, Paul Collingwood, Jamie Dalrymple, Andrew Flintoff, Ed Joyce, Jon Lewis, Sajid Mahmood, Paul Nixon, Monty Panesar, Liam Plunkett, Andrew Strauss
