After a miserable 47-run loss to Sri Lanka in its opening match, New Zealand now faces the mammoth task of beating a resurgent West Indies in tomorrow’s group B match of the World Cup.The West Indies, celebrating the return of Brian Lara, is on a high after snatching a three-run victory over host South Africa. Lara’s century and the team’s fighting spirit in cape town on Sunday have suddenly made the men in maroon possible contenders for a record third World Cup, which they won in 1975 and 1979. TEAMS (FROM) New Zealand: Stephen Fleming (captain), Andre Adams, Nathan Astle, Shane Bond, Chris Cairns, Chris Harris, Brendon McCullum, Craig McMillan, Kyle Mills, Jacob Oram, Matthew Sinclair, Scott Styris, Daryl Tuffey, Daniel Vettori, Lou Vincent. West Indies: Carl Hooper (captain), Ridley Jacobs, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Pedro Collins, Corey Collymore, Mervyn Dillon, Vasbert Drakes, Chris Gayle, Marlon Samuels, Wavell Hinds, Brian Lara, Jermaine Lawson, Nixon McLean, Ricardo Powell, Ramnaresh Sarwan. Umpires: Rudi Koertzen (SA) & Darrell Hair (Aus) For New Zealand it has always been the case of so near yet so far. The team reached the World Cup semifinals in 1975, 1979, 1992 and 1999 as well as the quarterfinals in 1996.But a defeat against the West Indies may mean an early ticket back home for the Black Caps, who have been touted as the dark horse of the tournament. On the other hand a second defeat may also force New Zealand to rethink its decision not to travel to Nairobi to play against Kenya because of security fears. Forfeiting its match will mean a loss of four more valuable points.Already the thinking in the New Zealand camp is that playing Kenya should be kept an option. ‘‘The situation with Kenya is that the process is still underway. It’s an obvious thing to look at when the side loses, the pressure goes on,’’ captain Stephen Fleming said after monday’s loss to Sri Lanka. New Zealand players fear for their safety in the wake of a November terrorist attack on a hotel in Mombasa, which killed 15 people. Their request for the February 21 game to be moved to South Africa has been turned down by World Cup organisers. New Zealand could afford to forfeit the Kenya match if it defeats not only the West Indies but also South Africa on February 16.But monday’s performance has raised serious doubts about the Black Caps’ batting — Nathan Astle made a duck, Fleming one and Craig McMillan three. Only Scott Styris’ 141 redeemed the side.
