No major worries for teams, but minor strains crop up

If Taylor fails to prove his fitness, Hamish Marshall, who scored an unbeaten 50 against Bangladesh in his first tour outing, will remain at number three.

Meanwhile, pace bowler Michael Mason has already been ruled out with a calf muscle injury which flared up against Bangladesh in Antigua last Monday. Mark Gillespie and Chris Martin, who are both yet to make their Cup debuts, are vying for his spot.

Black Caps coach John Bracewell told reporters on Sunday that his team would pay Ireland the same respect as any other team they faced at the World Cup.