Blackcaps captain Kane Williamson believes England will be a formidable opponent even without Tymal Mills and Jason Roy in Wednesday's semi-final of the Twenty20 World Cup in Abu Dhabi.
Paceman Mills has been ruled out of the tournament with a thigh strain, while opener Roy has been thrown out of action by a calf injury in two late blows to 2010 champions England.
Mills' exit denies England service of a 20-overs specialist and Eoin Morgan's team will be forced to rejig their top order to find a new partner for Jos Buttler.
"They're both big players for England," Williams said on the eve of what would be a rematch of the 2019 One-Day International World Cup final in which England triumphed on boundary countback rule.
"It's a real shame that they have suffered injuries in this competition. But I think one of the strengths of the England side is their depth that they've managed to produce over a period of time.
"They're still very much a very strong side who have been playing some really good cricket."
Morgan's team are bidding to be the first side to hold the 20-overs and the 50-overs World Cups at the same time.
For reigning world test champions New Zealand, this is an opportunity to win the showpiece title in another format.
Williamson agreed Roy's absence affected how the Blackcaps would have otherwise planned against England's explosive top order.
"Whenever there's an injury, someone else comes in and you're not to know who they are until the toss," Williamson said.
"But you try and prepare and plan as best you can and then when you go out there you're sort of competing in the moment.
"Jason's a big player for England and has been playing really nicely and getting the team off to good starts along with Jos (Buttler).
"But as I mentioned, the depth on the England side is one of their strengths and we'll try and plan accordingly to the best of our ability."
Blackcaps coach Gary Stead said their heartbreak at Lord's would have no bearing on their Twenty20 World Cup encounter.
"I'm not sure they're will be anything from the 2019 game that will really come into it," Stead said.
"They are a quality side and I guess we just look forward to the challenge of playing the best side."
The Blackcaps were stunned by Pakistan in their Group Two opener but went on to win four straight, with Trent Boult leading a sublime bowling unit backed up by twinkle-toed fielders delivering terrific catches.
With bat in hand, Martin Guptill has been the aggressor and Williamson the anchor, though their ability to chase down big totals remains untested.
England looked the form team until being beaten in their final Group One game by South Africa, that defeat felt even more keenly with the injury to Roy.
Roy's absence will force a top-order rejig with Jonny Bairstow likely to partner an in-form Jos Buttler, though England have plenty of other options in an explosive lineup.
"It is a massive blow, not just because of the way he bats but also because of what he brings to the field, and around the boys," all-rounder Moeen Ali said of Roy's absence.
The defeat by South Africa could also serve as a wake-up call to Morgan's team, ridding them of any complacency that may have crept in after four easy wins on the trot.
"You can bring in (James) Vince, you can bring in (Sam) Billings, you can bring in a bowler," Moeen said.
"The great thing is there's loads of options and loads of combinations that we can go with."
Reuters.
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