World Cup cricket returns to Essex today when New Zealand meet head on with Bangladesh at the County Ground, Chelmsford.

The Group B encounter is the first World Cup clash in the county since India beat Australia before a packed house at New Writtle Street in mid-June 16 years ago.

India, captained by their charismatic all-rounder Kapil Dev, went on to win the trophy two weeks later after thumping the Aussies by a comprehensive 118 runs, thanks mainly to a magnificent man-of-the-match performance from their strike bowler Roger Binny.

Could that be a good omen for the underrated Kiwis - this year's dark horses - to go on and lift the cup at Lord's on Sunday, May 20?

Captained by left-hander Stephen Fleming, underdogs and outsiders New Zealand have a quality squad, who on their day are good enough to do it.

In Nathan Astle and Craig McMillan the Kiwis boast surefire match winners, while all-rounder Chris Cairns, who is more than capable of genuine destruction with both bat and ball, is good enough to walk into any world side.

Add former Warwickshire star Roger Twose and exciting wicketkeeper/batsman Adam Parore and the Kiwis have the ideal formula to go the whole way.

Furthermore, New Zealand is the cricketing nation with conditions similar to those in this country which, this early in the year, could have a major bearing on the outcome.

Bangladesh also boast the odd match winner themselves like exciting stroke-maker Mehrab Hossain.

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