England hold psychological edge

England begin their World Cup campaign on Friday with a match against New Zealand in St Lucia as the two favourites to progress from Group C lock horns knowing victory could prove to be important if they both reach the Super Eight stage.

Though Kenya and Canada cannot be entirely written off, England and New Zealand are the obvious favourites in this group. The winner of their match will carry two points into the next phase, should they both advance, so there is more to play for than just group supremacy.

Bet365 make New Zealand narrow favourites at 4/5 (1.80) with England a tempting bet at evens (2.00).

England go into the match perhaps with a psychological edge having beaten the Black Caps to reach the CB final in Australia last month, a competition they went on to win.

Their only injury worry concerns James Anderson, who has reportedly fractured a finger on his left, non-bowling hand. The England management will wait until the last moment before deciding if he can play, depending on the extent of the injury.

Otherwise, England will be at full strength, with Ed Joyce keeping Andrew Strauss out at the top of the order and Michael Vaughan captaining the side. Providing he remains fit throughout the competition, England are a decent outside bet.

Furthermore, they will fancy their chances against a New Zealand side that is more than competent but which lacks too many world-class performers.

Stephen Fleming is a canny captain, Daniel Vettori a good spinner and Jacob Oram a brute of a batsman down the order, but there is not that much to spark fear into the hearts of England fans who are likely to be in the majority in St Lucia.

Top bat
Kevin Pietersen, as is customary these days, is favourite to be England's top runscorer at 3/1, just ahead of the dependable Ian Bell at 4/1 and captain Vaughan at 9/2.

Joyce and Paul Collingwood are 11/2, Andrew Flintoff is 13/2 and Ravi Bopara 8/1.

For New Zealand, Fleming is the obvious favourite at 10/3, while Lou Vincent is 4/1 and Ross Taylor 9/2.

Peter Fulton is 5/1, Scott Styris 11/2 and both Craig McMillan and the explosive Oram are 13/2.

Bell has proved to be a very solid player in the last ouple of years, looks in good form and could well come out on top for England at 4/1.