First match pivotal for England and New Zealand
Gros Islet: England and New Zealand know their first World Cup match on Friday is the most important of the group and could shape the rest of the tournament.''We're desperate to win it and set the standard for the tournament,'' New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming said. ''Looking at the Super 8s you've probably got to beat every side to win this tournament at some stage and if we beat England now, it may help in the long run.''England captain Michael Vaughan says he's ready to open the batting and field for 50 overs after recently returning from a hamstring problem that came after a year out with knee problems.While he batted in both of England's warmup matches, he only fielded for a total 27 overs in two matches.''Hopefully I'll prove on Friday that I can get through a game,'' Vaughan said. ''I've trained every single day and I've had nothing go wrong with the hamstring and nothing go wrong with the knee and I'm just looking forward to playing cricket now.''There is absolutely nothing to suggest I won't play a full part in this World Cup.''New Zealand's curse of the injured finger spread to England on Wednesday, with seamer Jimmy Anderson fracturing the little finger of his right hand during catching practice. The England Cricket Board said scans confirmed the break and Anderson will be reassessed by medical staff on Thursday.Losing Anderson would be a blow as he and Flintoff are the two most experienced members of the England attack.

Ireland draw Zimbabwe in a nail-biting finish
Kingston: The Group D encounter between Zimbabwe and debutants Ireland ended in a thrilling draw at Sabina Park, Jamaica on Thursday.
Chasing a victory target of 222, Zimbabwe was bowled out for 221 on the last ball of the innings. This is the third tie in a World Cup.
Stuart Matsikeneyri, who remained unbeaten on 73, failed to connect with the last ball after having taken his team to the brink of victory as wickets fell like pins at the other end.
No 11 Ed Rainsford was run out and Ireland made a memorable debut at the World Cup.
Positive start
Zimbabwe Openers began the chase on a positive note as Duffin smashed a cracking drive off the second delivery of the innings.
Duffin and Sibanda put a 26-run opening stand before Rankin snared the former for 12 runs to give Ireland their first breakthrough.
Sibanda then partnered Chibhabha to stabilize the innings with a 50-run stand for the second wicket.
Sibanda, who played the sheet anchor, cracked a fluent fifty, which included 8 fours to put Zimbabwe in a comfortable position.
Skipper Johnston then dismissed a scratchy looking Chibhabha for 12 runs. The new man in, Williams could not hang in for long and he was sent back by McCallan for 14 runs.

Sri Lanka crush Bermuda by 243 runs

Port of Spain: Debutants Bermuda found life at the top extremely uncomfortable as they crashed to a massive 243-run defeat against Sri Lanka in their opening World Cup match here on Thursday.
It was the second-biggest defeat by run-margin in the tournament history after Namibia's 256-run loss to defending champions Australia at Potchefstroom in South Africa in 2003.
Sri Lankan skipper Mahela Jawardene (85), Kumar Sangakkara (76) and Chamara Silva (55 not out) feasted on a mediocre Bermudian attack to help their team post a challenging 321-6 after electing to bat.
Bermuda were then clueless against Sri Lanka's seamers before being dismissed for an embarrassing 78 in just 24.4 overs, the sixth lowest ever World Cup total.
Farveez Maharoof finished with 4-23, while Lasith Malinga grabbed three wickets with his deceptive round-arm action. Off-spinner Muttiah Murlitharan took two wickets.
Lionel Cann (28) and David Hemp (14) were the only batsmen to reach double-figures in a dismal Bermudian batting performance.

Srilanka vs Bermuda scorecard
Sri Lanka

U. Tharanga c Minors b Hurdle 30

S. Jayasuriya c Pitcher b Mukuddem 22

M. Jayawardene c Hurdle b Cann 85

K. Sangakkara c Tucker b Leverock 76

C. Silva not out 55

T. Dilshan c Tucker b Hurdle 12

F. Maharoof c Hemp b Mukuddem 9

R. Arnold not out 2

Extras (lb3, nb14, w13) 30
Total 321 for 6 wkts in 50 overs
Fall of wickets: 1-62 (Jayasuriya), 2-78 (Tharanga), 3-228 (Sangakkara), 4-267 (Jayawardene), 5-305 (Dilshan), 6-316 (Maharoof).
Bowling: Hurdle 9-1-61-2 (10nb, 5w), Mukuddem 10-0-50-2 (3w), Tucker 10-0-50-0 (2nb), Leverock 10-0-67-1, Borden 3-0-27-0, Cann 5-0-34-1 (3w), Romaine 3-0-29-0 (1nb)

Bermuda
C. Smith lbw b Vaas 0

O. Pitcher b Maharoof 6

S. Mukuddem c Sangakkara b Malinga 0

D. Hemp c Jayawardene b Malinga 14

I. Romaine lbw b Malinga 0

J. Tucker b Muralitharan 4

D. Minors c Sangakkara b Maharoof 4

L. Cann c Sangakkara b Maharoof 28

D. Borden c sub (Kulasekara) b Maharoof 6

K. Hurdle not out 6

D. Leverock lbw b Muralitharan 1