HEADINGLEY. England, June 5: High-flying Zimbabwe, short on superstars but strong on team spirit, take on New Zealand in the cricket World Cup here on Sunday knowing that one more victory should see them into the senii-finals, reports AFP.

The Africans have already made history in getting as far as the second round.

Having beaten India and pretournament favourites South Africa in the first phase, Zimbabwe already have four points going into the Super Six, a feat

matched only by Wasim Akram’s Pakistan.

New Zealand, however, are also riding high after beating Australia and edging out 1975 and 1979 trophy winners West Indies to reach the second phase.

The Kiwis also know they

have won all three of their World Cup meetings and 13 of 17 one-dayers against Zim-

Rival coaches Steve Rixon of New Zealand and David Houghton of Zimbabwe expect an evenly-matched contest.

"We have great respect for Zimbabwe." Rixon. the former Australian wicket-keeper said. "They are very good in these conditions."

Houghton, meanwhile, has told his side that they are on the brink of a major breakthrough.

"We are better placed than many other teams and should take advantage of that," Houghton said. ‘This could be the World Cup we were waiting for."

Zimbabwe had won only three of their 25 Cup matches before this tournament. They have already equalled that in five games here.

Alistair Campbell's team had already had a memorable season before arriving here, winning their first Test series abroad against Pakistan and making their first one-day final in the Sharjah Cup last November.

Neil Johnson, whose 76 and three for 27 secured Zimbabwe their first win over South Africa last week, is confident the team can go far. "We have no superstars and we have to fight for each other." the former Natal all-rounder said." It's one big happy family.

"We know if we play like we did against South Africa, we can beat any side."

The Kiwis, World Cup semifinalists in 1975, 1979 and 1992 only made the Super Six on run rate.

Skipper Stephen Fleming

said: 'The games will be tougher now but we are ready. I think we are peaking at the right time."

The key to the match may lie in the New Zealand top-order where Craig McMillan and Nathan Astle were expected to blast quick runs.

McMillan has looked in form without scoring heavily but Astle has hardly hit the ball off the square, the opener has made 22 in five matches so

far.

"I'd love to get going again." said Astle, whose highest one-day score of 120 came against Zimbabwe at Eden Park in Auckland in 1995-96.

"I'm going through a bad Katch at the moment. Everyone as them. You can't just keep scoring runs every game or it would be too easy,"

SQUADS

NEW ZEALAND (probable): Nathan Astle, Matthew Horne. Craig McMillan. Stephen Fleming leapt), Roger Twose. Adam Parore, Chris Cairns, Chris Harris. Dion Nash. Gavin Larsen, Geoff Allott.

ZIMBABWE (probable): Neil Johnson. Grant Flower’, Murray Goodwin, Andy Flower. Alistair Campbell (capt). Guy Whittali, Paul Strang. Andrew Whittali, Stuart Carlisle, Heath Streak, Henry Olonga.