Match Previews 
/ Ed Hawkins / 19 February 2011 / Leave a Comment 
Daniel Vettori leads the Kiwis
"Back Kenya at the odds in the anticipation they get a foothold and lay off for three or more points"
Ed Hawkins reckons the Kiwis will not have it all their own way against Kenya when the sides meet in Chennai early on Sunday
London start time: 04.00
Team news
New Zealand's preparation for their opening match have been hampered by the potential loss of offspinner Nathan McCullum. He has been in hospital with a high fever.
McCullum will be a big loss to the Kiwis. He has established himself as the second spinner behind Daniel Vettori. Luke Woodcock, a left-arm spinner with only two ODIs to his name, is the probable replacement.
Kenya look to have been in decent touch in the warm-ups. They beat Afghanistan, Ireland, looked capable against West Indies before losing
to Netherlands by two wickets. Veteran Steve Tikolo smashed a ton versus Afghanistan.
Venue and conditions
There have been five ODIs completed at the Chidambaram stadium in Chennai since 2000. During that period the average first-innings score is 251. New Zealand, however, were bowled out for just 103 there against India at the end of last year. Seven of the wickets fell to spinners.
This should favour Vettori, although Kenya's Shem Ngoche, a slow left-armer, has a good economy rate in the last 12 months while offie Jimmy Kamande took three wickets in the warm-up against Afghanistan.
Match odds
New Zealand are [1.08] to get their campaign off to a good start. Kenya are [11.00]. It doesn't take a genius to work out the Kiwis are the better side. But will they prove to be the better side throughout a potential 100 overs? We don't think so.
This is one of the most limited sides New Zealand have ever sent to a World Cup. They have suffered 13 losses in their last 15, including a 0-9 record in India and Bangladesh.
Back Kenya at the odds in the anticipation they get a foothold and lay off for three or more points. If New Zealand bat first, it might pay to wait until after the powerplay overs because they are likely to lengthen quickly, just as Bangladesh did on day one.
Top batsman - Kenya
Collins Obuya is Kenya's top runscorer in the last 12 months. He used to be known as a specialist legspinner but has reinvented himself. He is priced at [3.00] under Any Other. Tikolo remains their best batsman, though, and his far better value at [4.00]
Top batsman - New Zealand
Brendon McCullum, at [3.50] and Martin Guptill, at [3.00] are the Kiwi openers and they will be expected to get them off to a quick start.
Other featured market
McCullum is [2.18] to score a 50.
Best bet: Back Kenya at [11.00] to trade
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