Fleming wants to ‘set standard’

Vaughan confident hamstring will stand up to the stress, Oram the big threat in opening game

England and New Zealand know their first World Cup match on Friday is the most important of the group and could shape the rest of the tournament.

“We’re desperate to win it and set the standard for the tournament,” New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming said. “Looking at the Super 8s you’ve probably got to beat every side to win this tournament at some stage and if we beat England now, it may help in the long run.”

England captain Michael Vaughan says he’s ready to open the batting and field for 50 overs after recently returning from a hamstring problem.

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While he batted in both of England’s warm-up matches, he only fielded for a total 27 overs in two matches.

“There is absolutely nothing to suggest I won’t play a full part in this World Cup.”

New Zealand’s curse of the injured finger spread to England on Wednesday, with seamer Jimmy Anderson fracturing the little finger of his right hand during catching practice. The England Cricket Board said scans confirmed the break and Anderson will be reassessed by medical staff on Thursday. Losing Anderson would be a blow as he and Flintoff are the two most experienced members in the attack.

New Zealand bowlers Jacob Oram and Peter Fulton both have injured fingers. Oram broke his in January, jokingly suggesting he’d get it amputated in order to play, but the splint isn’t causing too many problems while bowling and batting and he should face England. Craig McMillan’s availability is also in doubt after teammate Shane Bond yorker crashed into his boot during practice.

Men in action

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• England: Ed Joyce, Michael Vaughan (captain), Ian Bell, Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood, Andrew Flintoff, Jamie Dalrymple, Paul Nixon, Liam Plunkett, John Lewis, Monty Panesar. Coach: Duncan Fletcher.

• New Zealand: Lou Vincent, Stephen Fleming (captain), Ross Taylor, Scott Styris, Craig McMillan, Jacob Oram, Brendon McCullum, Daniel Vettori, Shane Bond, Jeetan Patel, James Franklin, Daryl Tuffey. Coach: John Bracewell

• Officials: Rudy Koertzen and Asad Rauf; Third Umpire: Peter Parker, Fourth Umpire: Billy Doctrove, Match Referee: Mike Procter.

SP leader Azam Khan walks out of jail after 23 months, hundreds of supporters welcome him

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Senior Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan, who is facing multiple cases, walked out of the Sitapur jail today after 23 months. He was scheduled to be released early Tuesday morning, but it was delayed due to impending court proceedings. Hundreds of supporters gathered outside the Sitapur jail, waiting for the SP leader to walk out of prison.

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