The BLACKCAPS begin their attempt to claim the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 title later today (NZ time) with their opening group game against Kenya in Durban.
The teams meet for the second time this year, having faced off in the same ICC World Cup first-round pool.
In St Lucia, the BLACKCAPS sealed qualification for World Cup’s Super Eight Series with a 148-run win.
Four BLACKCAPS batsmen - Stephen Fleming, Ross Taylor, Scott Styris and Craig McMillan - made half-centuries as the New Zealanders posted an ODI ground and BLACKCAPS World Cup record 331 for seven.
Ravi Shah posted an impressive 71, but the run chase failed to get into top gear with a Kiwi victory confirmed in the final over.
The New Zealanders, led by Daniel Vettori, will want to repeat the victory this time around.
They will have Peter Fulton batting at number three, having decided not to use Jacob Oram in that role.
Coach John Bracewell has decided to move the big left-hander back down the order again.
“Fulton was in very good touch against the West Indies on Sunday, top scoring with 51, so by putting him up to No. 3 means we can take some pressure off Jake,” he said.
“Brendon McCullum will both open and keep wickets. This gives us tremendous firepower right through the middle order with Dan Vettori probably coming in at No. 8,” he said.
The final XI will be decided on the morning of the game, depending on overhead conditions and after a final inspection of the pitch.
Kenya all-rounder Thomas Odoyo comes into the match in high spirits.
Odoyo received the inaugural Associate ODI Player of the Year at the ICC Awards ceremony in Johannesburg.
The 29-year-old beat strong competition from fellow Kenyan Steve Tikolo, Netherlands all-rounder Ryan ten Doeschate and Canada wicketkeeper-batsman Ashish Bagait to take the award.
Odoyo took 27 wickets and scored 488 runs in the 2006/07 season, helping the Africans to the ICC World Cricket League title and featuring at the World Cup.
“It is a great honour for me,” he said. “It’s the first time for an Associate player to win an ICC Award so I am truly delighted.
“Hopefully this will encourage more guys in Kenya to play the game and that can only be a good thing. It is a great day for me.”
Kenya had mixed results in their warm-up, defeating Bangladesh by six wickets after a reverse by a similar margin by the West Indies.
The Windies, also victors over the BLACKCAPS at the weekend, fell to defeat against hosts South Africa in the competition's opening match.
Chris Gayle's breathtaking 117 from 57 balls was not enough to off-set the Proteas, who earned an eight-wicket win with two overs to spare.
BLACKCAPS: Daniel Vettori (captain), Lou Vincent, Brendon McCullum, Peter Fulton, Ross Taylor, Jacob Oram, Craig McMillan, Scott Styris, Shane Bond, Jeetan Patel, Mark Gillespie, Chris Martin.
Kenya: Steve Tikolo (captain), Rajesh Bhudiya, Jimmy Kamande, Tanmay Mishra, Lameck Ngoche, Nehemiah Ngoche, Alex Obanda, Collins Obuya, David Obuya, Thomas Odoyo, Peter Ongondo, Elijah Otieno, Morris Ouma, Ondik Suji, Hiren Varaiya.
BLACKCAPS v Kenya: Live scoring on BLACKCAPS.co.nz from 7.45pm (NZ time)
Use the 'Feedback' option to send your messages of support to the team
