Tough schedule faces New Zealand in World Cup 2003

New Zealand is going to have to hit the ground running when it begins its World Cup campaign in South Africa next summer.

The side has struck the draw from hell.

It has to play Sri Lanka, the West Indies and South Africa, its fellow semi-finalist from the 1999 World Cup, in six days, right at the start of the tournament.

It then has three easy games against Kenya, Bangladesh and Canada before the end of the first round.

However, just what value those games might be should New Zealand qualify for the Super Six part of the draw, will be minimal. The ideal draw would have been to have started with one of the easier sides and then alternated tough games with easier games.

The side also faces some extensive travel. It plays its first game in Bloemfontein on Monday, February 10, the travels across the continent to Port Elizabeth to play the West Indies, and then goes back to altitude in Johannesburg to play the home team.

The one comfort that New Zealand's pre-tournament base is at altitude at Centurion which should at least ensure that it is prepared for the altitude changes it is certain to face.

After the game against South Africa by which stage New Zealand should know what its chances are of advancing to the Super Six, it will then fly to Nairobi to play Kenya.

From there the team returns to Kimberley to play Bangladesh while its last game is against Canada on March 3 at Benoni.

All New Zealand's games are day games, in a tournament which has its scheduling based on the demands of the World Sports Group. That company holds the rights for the tournament.

The New Zealand draw is:

Monday, February 10 v Sri Lanka, Bloemfontein.
Thursday, Feb 13 v West Indies, Port Elizabeth.
Sunday, Feb 16 v South Africa, Johannesburg.
Friday, Feb 21 v Kenya, Nairobi.
Wednesday, Feb 26 v Bangladesh, Kimberley.
Monday, March 3 v Canada, Benoni.