New Zealand bowling a concern for Fleming

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Mar 11 (Reuters) After a week divided between highs and lows during the World Cup warm-ups, New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming can be forgiven for wondering what lies in store when the event proper starts.

Already he has had to contend with bowler Mark Gillespie, arriving in the Caribbean with a ''paralysed'' bowling arm and all-rounder Jacob Oram turning up with a broken finger.

The New Zealand physio's workload got a tad heavier on Friday when batsman Peter Fulton broke a left-hand little finger -- his ''pinkie'' -- in catching Kumar Sangakkara during the Kiwis' 18-run win over Sri Lanka.

Oram and Fulton should be fit to play New Zealand's key Group C opener in St Lucia on March 16 but Gillespie's chances of turning out against England in that match look remote.

He contracted a virus shortly before flying to the Caribbean last week and its effect has effectively numbed his right bowling arm, forcing him out of the shock warm-up defeat by Bangladesh on Tuesday as well as Friday's redeeming victory.

''Mark has paralysis of his right arm which is not a great thing when you're a right-arm bowler,'' Fleming told reporters with customary dry humour.

''He's improving but at what rate I'm not so sure.

''It will be hard for him to get up and play (against England), he's had no cricket. We can't rule him but I would say it's certainly unlikely.'' WEAK AREA Gillespie's absence does not help a bowling attack which looks to be a potential area of concern although it would be harsh to judge them too stringently on performances on a 3Ws Oval wicket which must be as benign as any in the Caribbean.

Nevertheless, his chief strike weapon, fast bowler Shane Bond, was wayward against both Bangladesh and Sri Lanka and should England's top order get a toehold in St Lucia, he could be dispatched for plenty despite his considerable pace.

Otherwise, the Kiwi attack looks workmanlike rather than lethal although spinner Daniel Vettori, at 28 a very seasoned performer now at the highest level, continues to pose a considerable threat to any batsman.

His understudy, Jeetan Patel, lacks Vettori's control and certainly Sri Lanka dealt with him without much difficulty in Barbados before finishing only 18 runs shy of New Zealand's 285 total.

On a brighter note, the Black Caps' batting, despite a below par total of 226 all out against a modest Bangladesh attack, looks shipshape and in Oram, Fulton and Brendon McCullum they have a middle order which could easily embarrass England.

Both New Zealand and England should progress comfortably to the Super Eights from Group C which also includes Canada and Kenya albeit that the latter incredibly made it through to the last four in the previous edition in South Africa in 2003.

Fleming, however, wants revenge for England's recent tri-series success over them in Australia and a win on Friday would build on the momentum they gained by beating world champions Australia 3-0 last month.

''We're pretty sure about the style of play we want against England,'' he said. ''England are playing well and they've got Kevin Pietersen back so it looks like it's going to be a tough game for both sides. I'm looking forward to it.'' REUTERS SAM BST1223