England's surprise win over Australia has left New Zealand under pressure to make the tri-series finals but Kiwi skipper Stephen Fleming could not be happier with the scenario. New Zealand looked to be assured of joining the Australians in the finals after beating England for the second time in Perth on Tuesday.
But England's unexpected win has breathed new life into the series. New Zealand play Australia on Sunday but the battle for the last place in the finals is now poised to come down to Tuesday's match against England in Brisbane.
"This is what we wanted," Fleming told reporters on Saturday. "We want it to be a semi-final, a pressure game, where we continue the momentum we build." New Zealand and England are both desperate to make the finals and Fleming said the extra pressure would be an early test of their credentials before the World Cup, starting in the West Indies next month.
"That's what the World Cup's about, so if anything we couldn't ask for much more," Fleming said. "It's uncomfortable because you want to win these next two games, but we certainly don't want to miss out on the finals so we've got to play accordingly."
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