New Zealand field against England

CARDIFF: New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum won the toss and elected to field against England in their Champions Trophy Group A match in Cardiff on Sunday before rain fell on Sophia Gardens.

England were without premier spinner Graeme Swann because of injury and his place was taken by fellow off-break bowler James Tredwell.

However, top order batsman Jonathan Trott was passed fit following a leg injury that prevented him fielding for most of Sri Lanka's innings during England's seven-wicket defeat at The Oval on Thursday.

New Zealand seamer Tim Southee was ruled out with an ankle injury and in his place the Black Caps gave a one-day international debut to 22-year-old left-arm paceman Corey Anderson, who played three Twenty20 internationals in South Africa last year.

Whichever side wins this match will go through to the semi-finals and if hosts England lose they will exit the tournament.

But if New Zealand lose they will be involved in a three-way battle for a semi-final place with Australia and Sri Lanka, who meet in the last Group A match at The Oval on Monday.

If Sunday's match is a washout, New Zealand will go through to the last four and if Sri Lanka win on Monday they too will qualify for the knockout stages.

In that case, defending champions Australia will both need to beat Sri Lanka and to sufficiently improve their net run-rate to edge past England.

Teams
England: Alastair Cook (captain), Ian Bell, Jonathan Trott, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan, Ravi Bopara, Jos Buttler (wkt), Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, James Tredwell, James Anderson

New Zealand: Luke Ronchi (wkt), Martin Guptill, Kane illiamson, Ross Taylor, Brendon McCullum (capt), James Franklin, Daniel Vettori, Nathan McCullum, Corey Anderson, Kyle Mills, Mitchell McClenaghan

Umpires: Rod Tucker (AUS), Bruce Oxenford (AUS),
Third umpire: Steve Davis (AUS)
Match referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM)
(AFP)