ST JOHN'S, April 2: New Zealand headed into Monday's World Cup Super Eights match against Bangladesh with a ringing endorsement from one of their fiercest opponents on the cricket field.

Ian Chappell, who led Australia in their first two full series against New Zealand, believes the final on April 28 will feature the two trans-Tasman rivals.

“The likelihood is that still only New Zealand has the skill and courage to challenge Australia,” Chappell wrote in his column on the cricinfo website.

“So far New Zealand has shown commendable resilience, coping despite injuries to important players in Lou Vincent, Ross Taylor and Mark Gillespie. In the lead-up to the tournament, New Zealand showed the rest of the world just how vulnerable Australia's bowling was by twice chasing down totals well in excess of 300.”

New Zealand and Australia are the only two unbeaten teams left, although the Kiwis lost a warm-up match to Bangladesh shortly after their arrival in the Caribbean fresh from their 3-0 win series win over Australia.—Reuters