When the Kiwis, whose World Cup odds have been slashed from 20-1 outsiders to 7-1 shots, take on the West Indies here on Monday, they will start as favourites. Stephen Fleming's men, fresh from defeating the much-vaunted Australians, have the added incentive of knowing that victory will surely propel them from Group B into the second round.

But for Brian Lara's team, whose predecessors won the 1975 and 1979 titles, defeat could mean humiliating elimination.

The West Indies are expected to delay naming their team until the last moment, in the hope that Keith Arthurton -- a top-order batsman who bowls useful spin -- and strike bowler Curtly Ambrose pass fitness tests. Arthurton turned over an ankle in the side's opening defeat to Pakistan and Ambrose withdrew from the victory against Bangladesh with a shoulder injury. Without them,Monday's line-up will look severely short of bowling.

Lara's claim that his team was ``coming together'' after a less-than-impressive victory over Bangladesh may have been designed for Caribbean consumption, but few neutrals were won over. Lara himself, who came to the World Cup after scoring 213, 153 and 100 in consecutive Tests against Australia, is struggling with the bat, with only 36 runs in two innings.

New Zealand, in contrast, are looking increasingly dangerous. Matthew Engel, Editor of the cricketing Bible Wisden, dubbed them the least charismatic team in the world before the tournament.

That delighted the Kiwis. Top-order batsman Craig McMillan said: ``Not so many people are talking about New Zealand in the Super Six or semi-finals so that suits us fine. We are looking to sneak up and surprise a few people.''

Engel repeated his assessment after New Zealand's win over Australia, calling them ``competent and efficient'' and adding: ``Let's see if they beat Pakistan and the West Indiesfirst. This is just one win.''

Teams(from)

New Zealand: Nathan Astle, Matthew Horne, Craig McMillan, Stephen Fleming (capt), Roger Twose, Adam Parore, Chris Cairns, Chris Harris, Dion Nash, Gavin Larsen, Geoff Allott.

West Indies: Ridley Jacobs, Sherwin Campbell, Shivnarine Chanderpaul,Brian Lara (capt), Jimmy Adams, Phil Simmons, Stuart Williams, Reon King, Curtly Ambrose, Courtney Walsh, Mervyn Dillon.