ST PETER’S, April 3: New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor is likely to play in next Monday's World Cup Super Eights game against Ireland in Guyana in a welcome reversal of fortunes for the Kiwis.

“I would be hopeful that he would play in the next game,” Fleming told a news conference. “Obviously the week has to go well for him but I think that's what we're aiming for.”

Taylor, the most exciting young batsman in New Zealand, has missed his team's last three games with a hamstring strain. New Zealand have already lost opening batsman Lou Vincent with a broken wrist and pace bowler Daryl Tuffey has returned home with a shoulder injury.

Fleming said paceman Mark Gillespie, who has not played in the tournament because of an infection in his right shoulder, was also fit again.

“He hasn't played for four weeks so we have to make sure that the work he does in practice is as close to match simulation as possible and that's often difficult to do,” Fleming said.

“(Tuffey's replacement) Chris Martin looks to be in good form as well so we've got some options.”

If Taylor does return, substitute opener Peter Fulton and Hamish Marshall are the players under pressure.

Fulton made a duck against West Indies and only 15 against Bangladesh after being promoted up the order while number three Marshall hit an unbeaten 50 against the Asian side.

Fleming indicated that he would stick with Fulton, who has been in good form in the middle-order.

“He's in a role that's a little bit foreign to him and it takes a little bit of time to adjust. We have got a game against Ireland which will be another opportunity before we get down to two games in three days,” he said..

New Zealand's ability to improvise after injuries to key players was tested again during the nine-wicket win over Bangladesh on Monday when pace bowlers Michael Mason and James Franklin left the field with a calf strain and a migraine respectively after bowling 7.3 overs between them.

All-rounders Scott Styris and Jacob Oram responded with seven wickets between them while Craig McMillan's part-time medium pace was required for just 1.3 overs.

“We were able to get away with it. For the change bowlers to be able to do that was a good reflection of the guys' form and the way the team is responding to adversity,” Fleming said.

“We are so used to it we that we can get into a patch-up mode to get through. We understand what is needed. We have got a lot of backup bowlers and part-time bowlers who most of the time cover the overs.”—Reuters

Super Eights standings

Standings after Monday’s match between Bangladesh and New Zealand:

Team P W L T NR NRR Pts

Australia 3 3 0 0 0 +2.01 6

New Zealand 3 3 0 0 0 +1.44 6

Sri Lanka 3 2 1 0 0 +2.07 4

England 2 1 1 0 0 +0.05 2

South Africa 2 1 1 0 0 -0.71 2

West Indies 4 1 3 0 0 -1.18 2

Ireland 2 0 2 0 0 -1.02 0

Bangladesh 3 0 3 0 0 -3.36 0

Note:

1. Teams who defeated fellow qualifiers in the first round carry forward the two points from that match as well as the run-rate.

2. Teams who played each other in first round do not meet in the Super Eights

3. Top four qualify for the semi-finals.