New Zealand aim to avoid banana-skin
This should be little more than a training run for New Zealand, who open their campaign against a struggling Scotland
Match facts
Saturday, June 6, 2009Start time 10.00 (09.00 GMT)
Big Picture
The sides have been playing warm-up matches for the past week and realistically this should be little more than another training run for New Zealand. Scotland have never beaten a Test-playing nation in either an ODI or a Twenty20 international and that is unlikely to change at this tournament, if their recent form is any indication.Form guide (last five Twenty20s, most recent first)
New Zealand WWLWTScotland WLWLN
Watch out for
Brendon McCullum launched last year's IPL with a spectacular 158 not out and against a relatively weak attack he could light up the opening stages of this event. His IPL form this year was patchy with flashes of his best and the other teams won't thank Scotland if they bowl him back into touch.Team news
New Zealand will be without Kyle Mills after he was ruled out due to a back injury, although he was responding well to treatment. "His condition will be monitored over the next few days before a decision is made on whether he plays in the game against South Africa on Tuesday," the coach Andy Moles said. Ryder was battling a niggling groin injury in the lead-up but he is expected to play.Pitch and conditions
Daniel Vettori should enjoy a surface expected to suit the slow bowlers. There could be light rain in London on Saturday with a forecast top of 17C.Stats and Trivia
- Scotland have never beaten a Test-playing nation in an ODI or Twenty20 international
- They have never met New Zealand in a Twenty20 and the two ODIs between the sides resulted in enormously one-sided wins to New Zealand
- Scotland is the home of the "Mac" surname but they are outnumbered by New Zealand - McCallum and MacLeod compared to McCullum, McCullum and McGlashan
Quotes
"It is probably the most nerve-racking game we can have first up. We do not want to be the team who slips up against an Associate team. We have seen it happen at World Cups in the past."Daniel Vettori
Gavin Hamilton after losing to Netherlands