Scotland captain Gavin Hamilton heads into the ICC World Twenty20 convinced there will be a major first-round shock.

Ireland showed such a feat is possible when they knocked Pakistan out of the 2007 World Cup, and followed up by beating Bangladesh in the latter stages.

"It is a genuine possibility that one of the three teams win a game," said Hamilton. "There are some excellent cricketers in these sides, they are not all club cricketers but genuine performers at first-class cricket who are succeeding at that level. Everyone has got a point to prove.

"Between the three of us I would be very surprised if something doesn't happen. It will boil down to identifying those key moments in individual games. Things will happen in your favour and it's that old chestnut of 'never say never'."

Styris content do be under the radar

On paper New Zealand should be comfortable winners but the early 10am start combined with the wet weather in London in the past 24 hours, should juice up the pitch and narrow the chasm in class.

"I think these conditions will make a difference," said Hamilton. "With the covers on overnight there is every chance it will work to our advantage and then it will all boil down to the toss.

"It is no secret that we need to get as much advantage as we can and little things like that make a big difference."

Not that the Scots are under-estimating the talent of the Black Caps, who have made a habit of reaching the last four of big limited-overs events.

"They always slip under the radar somehow," Hamilton added. "I don't know how because they are one of the best one-day sides around.

"They are a close-knit team and the way they go about their cricket is outstanding for the personnel they have got. They are a real workmanlike group of professional cricketers and a shining example for our Scotland side.

"To watch how they go about their cricket, how aggressive they are, and how hard they go at the opposition.

"New Zealand are the team that in terms of work ethic we should aspire to be."

Scotland must overcome the absence of both their new-ball attack in attempting to pull off a surprise.

Hours after John Blain walked out on the squad following a row with Hamilton, Dewald Nel broke a finger and was ruled out for six weeks.

"I am very good friends with John but I have made it quite clear I have no interest in speaking to him, or resolving things, until this World Cup is over," Hamilton said. "I have far too much on my plate at the moment."

Approaching milestones:

New Zealand vs. Scotland
 
- Brendon McCullum (582) needs 18 runs more to become the first batsman to aggregate 600 runs in Twenty20 Internationals.
 
- McCullum, with a fifty, would become the first batsman to post five successive fifty-plus innings. With four consecutive fifties - 59 against West Indies at Hamilton on December 28, 2008; 61 against Australia at Sydney on February 15, 2009; 56 not out against India at Christchurch on February 25, 2009 and 69 not out against India at Wellington on February 27, 2009 - McCullum holds a record for most fifties.          
 
Head to Head:
 
- New Zealand and Scotland would be playing for the first time in a Twenty20 International against each other.
 
- Scotland have played one game each against Bermuda, Ireland, India, Kenya, Netherlands and Pakistan.