“I don't think you target anyone, but in any form of the game, you are aware that teams have match-winners and key players,” Styris said after Monday's practice session ahead of their Super Eights match against England.
“In England's case, they're the Pietersens and the Flintoffs. You know that if you get those guys out for a cheap score, you've every chance of winning. We know they're their danger players.”
Asked if the Kiwis would be intent on sending England home early, Styris laughed. “Didn't Kevin Pietersen come out and say something like that before the game against the Australians?” he asked, his amusement all too apparent.
“I don't think it matters what sport it is, everyone likes to see England going home early, whether it's rugby or even football. But we're not thinking about it like that. We're thinking that if we win, we're a long way towards qualifying for the semifinals.
“A lot has been made of the fact that they have brought in a lot of Twenty20 specialists, guys who have been successful in their domestic competition. They probably haven't done as well as they would have hoped,” the Kiwis all-rounder said.
If we can put the pressure on those guys, I think it puts more pressure on a couple of other guys in their order. If you take wickets early, it sets you up, and we'll look to continue doing that,” Styris added.