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Steve Rixon wants the Black Caps to be the quiet achievers of this year's cricket World Cup.

When the Australian's three-year term as coach began, he made, at times, some bold predictions, which his side could not match.

Before the team's departure from Christchurch yesterday, he expressed a quiet confidence in his charges ability to challenge for cricket's ultimate prize.

``I'm happy with the players and the preparation we have had. This is perhaps the most open World Cup and it will take a pretty good punter to pick the top six,'' Rixon said.

Rixon expects other teams to be wary of New Zealand after having shown the ability to beat the top-ranked sides.

``What we will do when get over there is lift the intensity level. We want to up the ante with the fielding, because that is a vital area. A brilliant piece of fielding can turn a game.''

``Now we have everybody fully fit, we have got aggressive top-order batsman and some quality players like Cairns, Parore, and Nash in the middle.''

While admitting the side did not have a strike-bowling weapon in the Glenn McGrath mould, Rixon said he was again comfortable with the Black Caps' bowling resources.

He said a key factor of the campaign was the team's flexibility, having many bowling and batting options available for various conditions and situations.

``In some line-ups we could have Daniel Vettori batting No. 10 and that's pretty handy.''

In the second part of the one-day series against South Africa, New Zealand showed some of its probable World Cup tactics, which included using a pinch-hitter and having some bowlers deliver one or two-over spells.

``There's not many surprises left in the one-day game any more, but if we can rotate the bowlers around it can keep the batsmen guessing and stop them getting into a routine.''

Rixon said another bonus was the likelihood of climatic conditions in England being similar to New Zealand's.

``While the likes of Australia and West Indies have been playing lately, they have not experienced the sort of cold you can get in England, nor have the countries on the sub-continent.''

Rixon hopes the notoriously fickle England weather will give all teams a fair chance.

``Obviously we want a fair go as does everyone, not rain-ruined games decided by a calculator.''

Rixon is happy for New Zealand to open its five-game section play against lowly-rated Bangladesh on May 17 to give it an early shakedown before meeting heavyweights Australia, West Indies, and Pakistan, then ending pool matches with Scotland on May 31.

New Zealand cricket captain Stephen Fleming scotched a rumour he was leaving Canterbury to play for Northern Districts next season.

Before departing for the World Cup yesterday, Fleming said the suggestion, floated by a radio station, was rubbish.

``I've got two years to go on my contract with Canterbury and am staying here.''

He wondered if speculation about him appearing for Northern Districts could have arisen with his partner having shifted there for work during the cricket season.