Run rate factor vital for New Zealand in match with Canada today

New Zealand has selected its side for today's game with Canada with the need to up its net run rate firmly in mind.

As a result, Central Districts batsman Mathew Sinclair has missed selection after he was not given a bat in his only World Cup appearance in New Zealand's last match against Bangladesh.

Selection chairman Sir Richard Hadlee said it was unfortunate for Sinclair that the need to bolster the net run rate in that match saw several players elevated before him and that had denied him his opportunity.

"However, this is a must win game for us and one where we must continue to improve our run rate.

"Therefore we have picked what we consider is the most effective combination to achieve this objective," Hadlee said.

The team is: Stephen Fleming (captain), Andre Adams, Nathan Astle, Shane Bond, Chris Cairns, Chris Harris, Brendon McCullum, Craig McMillan, Jacob Oram, Scott Styris, Daniel Vettori; Daryl Tuffey (12th man).

Unavailable for selection were Kyle Mills and Lou Vincent as both are suffering from injuries.

Hadlee said Harris' experience and versatility were also considered an asset for the game against Canada.

"As well as being an excellent fielder in the circle, Chris gives Stephen Fleming a number of options both with the bat and the ball.

"He also has significant experience in pressure situations."

The plight of New Zealand and Sri Lanka has been borne out by Sri Lanka's actions in appealing a ruling on the method to decide who would be the third team to qualify.

If Sri Lanka beat South Africa in a day/night match which will finish after New Zealand's game with Canada has been completed, the matter will not be in issue as Kenya, Sri Lanka and New Zealand would qualify.

However, should South Africa beat Sri Lanka, the issue would come down to net run rate between Sri Lanka and New Zealand for the third place as Kenya and South Africa would have qualified.

It is the net run rate factor that Sri Lanka has queried with the ICC, and then had its call for an appeal on the issue declined. It clearly believes that the principle should apply to separate the teams after an initial classification, and in that instance Sri Lanka would qualify for having beaten New Zealand.

However, it has been ruled that it cannot apply because if South Africa beat Sri Lanka, four teams would have been on 16 points and the criteria to separate teams must be used in sequential order and not reapplied. In this instance the head to head rule separates the four teams into two tiers, which is then followed up by a further separation by their net run rates.