How exactly do you prepare for a match that could make or break your dreams?

If it is the New Zealand team that we are talking about, then the mood in the camp was of sharp concentration with each man trying to iron out the faults in his game.

For the Kiwis, Sunday's match against the South Africans is of great consequence as a defeat could end
their hopes of reaching the Super Six given their going to Kenya is in doubt.

Each batsman was being videotaped, every tiny flaw being spotted and worked on.

Kiwi captain Stephen Fleming was quietly honing his throwing skills. With coach Dennis Aberhart giving him his complete attention, Fleming worked on just lining up the stumps and releasing the ball at just the right moment. It was only around 30 minutes later that he managed to get it right. A cry of joy erupted across the nets as he hit the stumps on three consecutive occasions.

The nets were optional but the players turned up in force with only Shane Bond and Daryl Tuffey conspicuous by their absence.

Craig McMillan, the middle-order bat, who has been in awful form with the bat was seen in long discussions with the coach and other senior players as he looked to find the touch that made him such a feared batsman in recent times.

Chris Cairns after his own stint in the nets was seen passing on tips to Kyle Mills and Daniel Vettori. An indication as to how seriously they are taking Sunday's game.

Fleming had earlier mentioned that quality spin would certainly play a part in the tournament. Against the home team which is not known to play spin very well, Daniel Vettori just might be the trump card that that Kiwis are looking for.

The young left-arm spinner was quietly working away, bowling at one stump for hours. You could see him literally find his rhythm, his line and length.

Towards the end of the session you could see a few big shots being played with Cairns and Lou Vincent starting to play the big shots.

Exactly the kind of stuff we could expect on Sunday. Big plays from the big players.