Illness strikes New Zealand camp

Illness has struck New Zealand's cricket team, leaving up to three players in doubt for their final World Cup group game against Bangladesh.

Coach Mike Hesson was reluctant to provide details but said on Monday that "two or three" unnamed players felt unwell following their six-wicket win over Afghanistan in Napier.

He wouldn't describe the symptoms but admitted to uncertainty over their availability for Friday's game against Bangladesh in Hamilton.

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"We've got a few guys who are a bit ill today, so hopefully they recover in time," he said.

"I know at least two or three are down so we'll see how they scrub up."

Pace bowler Adam Milne is also under a cloud, having suffered a shoulder knock in the field at McLean Park.

Hesson says a regime of ice on the AC joint damage and some rest should be enough to return the lively Milne to full fitness this week.

The coach indicated he would prefer to retain the same starting 11 used for all five pool games so far.

His chief concern is keeping them match-fit through the latter stages of group play given the thin schedule for his team between the game against Australia on February 28 and the quarter-final in Wellington on March 21.

"If guys have got a niggle, we won't force it. But when you've got two games in 21 days, we're not going to make that one game in 21 days in terms of preparation.

"If a guys are fit and still performing, then they'll get another chance."

Hesson was pleased with the thorough nature of the win over Afghanistan, describing it as a job carried out in clinical fashion.

He wants the same approach against Bangladesh so they take winning momentum into the play-offs.

"It's a matter of making sure you don't drop the ball and keep putting in good performances."

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Dan Vettori picked up four wickets to rip the heart out of the Afghanistan lineup as New Zealand recorded a comfortable win in Napier