Canada - in common with most of the associate nations thus far - chose to insert their fancied opponents on winning the toss. And for a few brief moments, enjoyed parity with New Zealand, as their opening seamers used the sultry, steamy early morning conditions to make Lou Vincent and Stephen Fleming poke and prod outside their off stump.

The first two overs yielded only two runs and, with a little bit of luck, should have yielded a wicket, maybe even two. Vincent, who is yet to impose himself on this tournament with the bat, was particularly uneasy around his off stump to the huge swing generated by Anderson Cummins.

His survival seemed touch and go until he decided to plonk his front foot out and have a go. Cummins was carted over extra-cover - and the stranglehold was broken.

Even so, the Canadians bowled the first 10 overs close to perfectly - the Kiwis could manage just 41 runs in that period, and it wasn't for lack of trying. From then on, though, it was pure mayhem as the Kiwis batted with an eye on the record books.