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England, Black Caps square off

South African cricketers Herschelle Gibbs, right, and an unidentified teammate stretch during a training session at the Conaree ground in St. Kitts and Nevis on Wednesday. South Africa play their first match of the Cricket World Cup today. PHOTO: AFP

England and New Zealand know their first World Cup match today is the most important of the group and could shape the rest of the tournament.

"We're desperate to win it and set the standard for the tournament," New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming said. "Looking at the Super 8s you've probably got to beat every side to win this tournament at some stage and if we beat England now, it may help in the long run."

England captain Michael Vaughan says he's ready to open the batting and field for 50 overs after recently returning from a hamstring problem that came after a year out with knee problems.

While he batted in both of England's warmup matches, he only fielded for a total 27 overs in the two games.

"Hopefully I'll prove on Friday that I can get through a game," Vaughan said. "I've trained every single day and I've had nothing go wrong with the hamstring and nothing go wrong with the knee and I'm just looking forward to playing cricket now."

"There is absolutely nothing to suggest I won't play a full part in this World Cup," he said.

New Zealand's curse of the injured finger spread to England on Wednesday, with seamer Jimmy Anderson fracturing the little finger of his right hand during catching practice. The England Cricket Board said scans confirmed the break and Anderson was due to be reassessed by medical staff yesterday.

Losing Anderson would be a blow as he and Flintoff are the two most experienced members of the England attack.

It makes selection for the seam bowlers a little easier though, with Liam Plunkett and Jon Lewis expected to start ahead of Sajid Mahmood. Left-arm spinner Monty Panesar is expected to be included.

New Zealand's Jacob Oram and Peter Fulton both have injured fingers. Oram broke his in January and jokingly suggested he'd get it amputated in order to play, but the splint isn't causing too many problems.
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