WELLINGTON, Oct 4: New Zealand have to overcome a long layoff and hope its injury prone stars stay fit if they want to repeat their 2000 victory in the Champions Trophy.

The victory in the 2000 tournament, then known as the ICC knockout, was due in large part to an unbeaten century by all-rounder Chris Cairns in the final against India in Nairobi.

Cairns retired this year and captain Stephen Fleming will be looking for big contributions from his more experienced players to rediscover the form of 2000.

The team has not played a one-day match together since beating the West Indies 4-1 in a home series which ended in early March.

Several of the key players are returning from injury, including world class speedster Shane Bond, wily left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori and pace bowler Kyle Mills.

All-rounder Jacob Oram is also returning from a series of career-interrupting injuries.—AFP