'We must beat Kenya' - Bracewell

John Bracewell said New Zealand needed a good win over Kenya on Tuesday to maintain their momentum leading into the Super Eights. A win would help New Zealand's chances of progressing through the tournament as Kenya were still in the running to make it past the group phase.

"We've got two points to carry through should England qualify," Bracewell told AFP. "That's the importance of the Kenyan match. We have to win that just in case it's Kenya who qualify because they are the other team with two points in the bag."

However, Bracewell was not prepared to look ahead at the prospect of reaching the semi-finals. "For us it's game by game because rhythm is quite an important thing in any tournament on getting on a roll," he said.

Kenya opened their World Cup with a seven-wicket victory over Canada, meaning the winner of Tuesday's game will sit on top of the Group C table. Bracewell said New Zealand might know more about Kenya than some sides, as they had enlisted the help of Andy Moles, the former Kenya coach who is now coaching Northern Districts in New Zealand's domestic competition.

"We've got a fair degree of notes from Andy Moles who worked with them over an extended period," Bracewell said. "We've got a fair bit of scouting done on them." Bracewell was keen to give the four members of New Zealand's squad who did not face England a run during their last two group matches.