We are good enough to win the ICC trophy, says Fleming

MUMBAI: Tired of the dark-horses tag, New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming on Thursday said his side was keen to win the Champions Trophy and prove that they were capable of being good consistently.

"The biggest worry for us is we have not been consistent in big tournaments. We are looking to win not only the next two games (in the league phase) but to win them all," said Fleming on the eve of their crunch Group B clash against Sri Lanka on Friday.

"We are good enough to win the competition. We don't want to be the perennial dark horses in every competition. We want to start performing to our ability," said the left-handed batsman who starred with the bat in his team's shock win over South Africa last week.

The New Zealand camp has been hit by injury and illness, with a big question mark hanging on three players --speedsters Shane Bond and Mark Gillespie and all rounder Scott Styris.

While Bond (stiff back) and Styris (hamstring twinge) missed the tie against South Africa, Gillespie has been sick over the last three days and is down with "Delhi belly", Fleming said.

"Shane is going to have a bowl today in the nets with a view to measuring his fitness and availability for tomorrow. We are measuring up our long term and short-term goals over Shane. Styris is in the same position. He will be training with a view to see his fitness.

"Mark Gillespie is down with Delhi belly and he's been sick for the last three days. It's his first trip to the sub continent," the skipper said.

Fleming said Friday's contest would throw up a tussle between the spinners from either team.

"We stack up very well in the spin department and it's going to be an even contest. Daniel (Vettori) and Jeetan (Patel) have been very impressive in conducive conditions.

"Daniel is a world class bowler and his guile with the ball is going to be crucial to us while Jeetan Patel is developing into a very effective off spinner because of the pace (at which) he bowls. We want to use him against the Sri Lankan left-handers. The other night he bowled extremely well on that pitch," Fleming said.

Fleming said since the dew has not been a big factor in the last few games, he would prefer to bat if he wins the toss.

"We probably would prefer to bat first. We have not seen dew in the last couple of matches. It would be advantageous to bat first. If we don't win the toss then we need to play extremely well. We can't go with a preconceived idea that you lose the toss and lose the game. You have to be stronger than that," he said.

The New Zealand captain said given the conditions, it was important to preserve wickets.

"Someone in the top order has to play a substantial innings. In these conditions it gives better chance if you assess the score that's needed. It's certainly not the traditional wham-bam start to get as many runs as possible.

"You need to be more circumspect. You need to keep wickets. Australia came close yesterday but lost wickets and lost the game," Fleming added.

He admitted that losing key players due to injuries has been frustrating for the New Zealand team which does not have as many players as replacements as other countries like India and Australia do.

"Losing key players due to injury at important tournaments has been frustrating. If we lose a major player it's very hard to get a replacement. Other countries like India, Australia, England have a number of players they can fall back on. We don't have that luxury. We are starting to develop it."

The left-handed batsman, who is just one match short of equalling Arjuna Ranatunga's record of leading the team in ODIs at 192, said he had started to enjoy the captaincy.

"I am enjoying my captaincy now more than ever. I am more within the side, developing myself more. Hundred and ninety odd games (as captain), I am proud of this.