We need more runs - Fleming

Stephen Fleming has conceded New Zealand's batting is a major worry ahead of the World Cup. New Zealand recorded their best total of the CB Series on Sunday when they set Australia a target of 219 but the score was below par and Australia chased successfully.

Their top order remains a concern with none of Fleming, Nathan Astle, Brendon McCullum and Peter Fulton having registered a half-century in the tournament. Although the bowlers have kept their side in the contests, Fleming said the lack of runs had to be addressed not just for the CB Series but also for the World Cup.

"There's pressure on us all, no doubt about that," Fleming told the New Zealand Herald. "We're approaching World Cup time and the run production isn't there, so pretty much every batter's got to take some deep breaths."

He said the experiment of promoting McCullum to opener was "on the backburner". "We just weren't getting what we wanted and it was causing more concern than delivering good results," Fleming said. "Even Brendon's form with the gloves may have been a factor of him trying too hard at the top. We wanted to settle it back down, get him back into a position where he's accustomed to and put the emphasis back on the batters."

Fleming said Jacob Oram, who flew to Adelaide to join the squad on Sunday, was likely to play in Tuesday's clash with England. New Zealand must beat England to give themselves a good chance of reaching the CB Series final.

"We're pretty realistic about where we are," he said. "We're pretty amazed the way we've played and still competed with England and Australia. There are areas we're competing well and creating enough pressure to win the game but there's just so much more we can give. The team's more frustrated than disappointed."