New Zealand will have to work overtime to secure points

On a Headingley pitch that looks tough to score runs freely upon, Zimbabwe are certainly not out of the contest. As the white ball became older and softer in the Zimbabwe innings, the scoring rate quickly deteriorated as the athletic fielding and tight bowling of New Zealand kept the total to a moderate one.

This in mind, batting is likely to become more difficult for the Kiwis as the overs tick by. By maintaining pressure with the ball and in the field, Zimbabwe could achieve what on paper looks unlikely.

Taking into account the unpredictability of the game you just never know what could occur in the final thirty-five overs tomorrow. Either way the result is crucial to each team's prospects of progressing through to the semi-finals. That is weather permitting of course.

Chasing runs is always a difficult task, whether in a Test match or a one-day encounter, and this is made more challenging when the chase is taking place on a difficult batting pitch. Having seen the problems Zimbabwe had in scoring their runs today on the Headingley pitch, I can only predict an equally tough assignment for New Zealand tomorrow. Often a relatively small target is as laborious task when playing on a slow uneven surface like that in Yorkshire and I feel Stephen Fleming and his men will have to work overtime to secure their precious points in the morning.

Throughout this tournament a number of players have stood out as outstanding performers. The names Kluesner, Moin, Dravid, Ganguly, Kallis and McGrath stand out when assessing the stars of this World Cup. Another name being placed in bright lights is that of Geoff Allott, New Zealand's left handed opening bowler.

His control has been impressive throughout and like so many left arm bowlers he is a genuine wicket taker who is having a major influence on the success of his team. Not only is he taking a large number of wickets but he is also maintaining an excellent economy rate that is so important in one-day cricket.

Having never faced Allott first hand I can't comment on his main strengths although it seems his accuracy and ability to swing the white ball have made him one of the stand out players in this competition.

As we have seen the throughout, the bowler's of the stronger teams are having a dominant effect on the results of the tournament. If New Zealand is to be a serious contender come finals time, Allott's brilliant form will have to continue as he goes head to head with his main rivals Donald, Pollock, McGrath, Fleming, Akram, Akhtar and Srinath.

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