At least two matches, perhaps as many as four although New Zealand still have much work ahead , particularly after their match against Zimbabwe was abandoned when rain prevented play even on the reserve day and they had to split points with the African team. They were 70 for three from 15 overs when bad light forced a halt at seven o'clock on the original day of play.

Allott's success has kept New Zealand's slips and gullies on constant alert. His 18 wickets equalled the featsof the Indian Roger Binny, Australia's Craig McDermott and Pakistan's Wasim Akram in successive World Cups from 1983. He has achieved it in only six matches; McDermott and Binny took eight, Wasim 10. Five more wickets would also enable Allott to surpass Sir Richard Hadlee's New Zealand record of 22 World Cup wickets. For the Hadlee family that would possess special significance, because it was Hadlee's elder brother Dayle who did much to renovate Allott's action and cure his persistent back trouble at the national cricket academy in Christchurch.

Allott's inswinger another Dayle Hadlee benefit -- did not function markedly yesterday but Zimbabwe still laboured against him. Neil Johnson's brisk start ended when he was bowled off the inside edge, and Andy Flower fended him to gully before he had scored to become a second new-ball victim.

Guy Whittall became Allott's third victim in the penultimate over and by then Zimbabwe's innings was deteriorating rapidly. Dreary they undoubtedly were but at 136 forthree, with 14 overs remaining, they had had designs on 220. A second rain stoppage put paid to that, their last seven wickets tumbling for 39.

It had required stirring feats aplenty for New Zealand and Zimbabwe to scrape into the Super Six stage, with their mighty neighbours Australia and South Africa confounded in the process, but this was grimmer fare. Only Murray Goodwin, with 57 from 90 balls, played with much conviction against New Zealand's medium-pace armoury. He fell to the third ball after the resumption, Chris Harris finding the thinnest of edges; Alistair Campbell, his form departing with every over, was finally put out of his misery when he hauled Gavin Larsen to mid-on.

For New Zealand's opening batsmen Matthew Horne and Nathan Astle to dash to 8 within nine overs almost beggared belief after their unproductive tournament. But they perished in successive overs and, when Heath Streak had Craig McMillan leg-before, New Zealand were grateful for an early close.

(Observer NewsService)