Pick Eyes Strong Canadian Send Off

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Pick - will return to England after tournament.

By Laura Stevenson, PA Sport

Canada coach Andy Pick is urging his players to finish the tournament on a high when they wrap up their World Cup campaign against New Zealand in St Lucia.

The Canadians already know they will be heading home after tomorrow's game with the Black Caps, having lost their opening two Group C matches against Kenya and England.

But Pick saw a vast improvement in his side's display in the 51-run loss to England on Sunday compared to that in the seven-wicket defeat to Roger Harper's Kenya four days earlier.

"I'm quite satisfied with that after the way we played against Kenya," said the Englishman, for whom Thursday's match will be the last in charge of the North Americans.

"We played poorly (against Kenya), which was disappointing. We know we're better than we showed and you start to wonder whether you're going to go through the World Cup not showing people how good you are.

"But against England, we fielded as well as we've fielded in my time in charge, and the batsmen stuck around a bit. I think 228 could well be the top Associate score at the World Cup, so that would be an achievement."

New Zealand made sure of their place in the Super Eight phase with a 148-run defeat of Kenya at Beausejour on Tuesday, and Pick is wary of the threat posed by John Bracewell's side.

"If they relax, there's a chance they'll play their best cricket," he warned.

"The batters will be looking to get runs, and the bowlers to spend as little time as possible out in the middle.

"(But) there's a chance they'll leave Shane Bond out, which would be helpful!"

The former Nottinghamshire bowler at least has a fully-fit squad to choose from for the match.

"We've got no injuries, everyone's fit and well," he confirmed. "It makes a change from the last couple of trips where we've had people ill and injured... this trip has been quite trouble-free so far with regards to injuries.

"We just hope we can continue the positives we showed against England and finish our tournament with a good quality cricket."

Pick will return to England to resume his post as the national Under-19 coach at the end of the competition after circumstances conspired to bring an end to his 12-month stint at the Canadian helm.