Winning captain Stephen Fleming was mildly critical of his team's effort after it scrapped out a 27-run win over Zimbabwe in their penultimate match of the tri-series on Wednesday.
"We struggled throughout our innings. We scrapped through and have work to do (ahead). Twice we have fallen out for what we need to do," said Fleming after his side was bowled out for 238 inside 50 overs.
Fleming elected to bat first on a difficult wicket in order to give his batsmen some experience of the conditions but it didn't bear fruit.
"It didn't work for sure. We didn't quite play well but sometimes you need such wins to keep you focused in such tournaments," remarked Fleming.
"Daniel Vettori was impressive and changed the game for us with the partnership he had with Scott Styris. But this was the stand we needed at the start of the innings. Still it got us through to 238."
Fleming said he is now focused to do well against India who would be straining under the leash to get their even for the Bulawayo defeat.
Fleming declared his star all-rounder Chris Cairns, currently nursing a strained groin, should be fit for Friday's game.
Man of the match Andy Blignaut, who scored 50 off 47 balls and took 4 for 46, said he would take a lot out of his performance from Wednesday's game after an indifferent start to the season.
{{/usCountry}}Man of the match Andy Blignaut, who scored 50 off 47 balls and took 4 for 46, said he would take a lot out of his performance from Wednesday's game after an indifferent start to the season.
{{/usCountry}}"I was bit in the desert (initially) but it was nice to come out with positives. As for not scoring at a better rate at the start of our innings, we didn't want to lose many wickets to Bondie (Shane Bond)."
It was a thought confirmed by losing skipper Tatenda Taibu.
"We wanted to see through the new ball and spend more time at the crease. We were looking to get our performance back."
"Our bowling and fielding is looking positive and we just need to bring it all together."