In a thrilling deja vu of cricketing history, a tale of rivalry and resilience is set to unfold once more as New Zealand and England prepare to kick off the opening match of the ICC World Cup 2023. The finalists of the unforgettable 2019 World Cup stand face to face once again.
The stage is set for this epic clash on the 5th of October, 2023, in the prestigious Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. In the World Cup stage, England and New Zealand’s rivalry remains evenly balanced, with each team notching five victories from their ten encounters.
As England gears up to defend their title, they’re hungry for a strong start against the Kiwis, while New Zealand is eager to settle an old score from the 2019 final. This match promises to be a high-stakes showdown.
Broadcasting Details
Star Sports network will broadcast live coverage of the match in India on television and digital platform Disney+ Hotstar (app and website)
Date and Time: 5th October, Thursday 2:00 pm IST
Team Preview
England
The defending champions are undoubtedly one of the strongest contenders for this World Cup. England’s strength lies in their powerful batting lineup, featuring world-class players who can take the game away from the opposition in a blink. Their aggressive approach in the powerplay overs is second to none.
England has had a decent year in ODIs, winning 7 out of the 12 matches they’ve played. Also, they faced New Zealand earlier this year and emerged victorious with a 3-1 series win, which could boost their confidence. Their first warm-up match ended in a washout but they managed a comfortable win over Bangladesh in the second.
The Englishmen will be looking forward to kicking off their tournament with a victory over the Kiwis. They will approach this match with a clear objective, to maintain their recent good form and bank on their explosive batting lineup to either set a challenging target or efficiently chase down any total presented to them.
New Zealand
New Zealand has played 20 matches this year, but their win-loss record of 8-11 (with one no result) suggests some inconsistency. However, they played exceptionally well in both warm-up matches. They comfortably chased a challenging total of 346 against Pakistan. And, in a closely contested encounter against South Africa, they secured a victory by a narrow margin of 7 runs (DLS).
New Zealand’s strength is their balanced team composition with a reliable top-order, explosive middle order and a disciplined bowling attack. They often excel in fielding, turning half-chances into wickets. The Kiwis are also known for their adaptability and ability to perform under pressure.
New Zealand will be looking forward to kick-off their maiden title quest with a win. They will aim to bounce back from their mixed ODI performances this year and rely on their collective team effort to secure a victory. Their approach might include tight bowling and exploiting any weaknesses in the English lineup.
Probable Playing XI
England: Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler (c) (wk), Moeen Ali, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, Chris Woakes, David Willey, Adil Rashid
New Zealand: Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Will Young, Tom Latham (c) (wk), Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Jimmy Neesham, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson
Pitch Report
The Ahmedabad pitch tends to slow down as the game progresses, providing an enticing challenge for the spinners. The spin-friendly conditions can create opportunities for bowlers who can extract turn and variation from the surface.
There is quite good assistance for the batters too. While the initial overs may be difficult, the pitch often transforms into a batting paradise once you get set, offering good bounce and carry to stroke-makers. The key to succeed here is to patiently build the innings.
The ICC World Cup 2023 matches will be held in day-night format, where the dew factor is set to make its presence felt. This added moisture promises to enhance batting conditions, particularly during the second innings. This could tip the scales in favour of the batsmen chasing the total.
- Total Matches Played – 26
- Matches Won Batting First – 14
- Matches Won Batting Second – 12
- Average First Innings Score- 242
- Average Runs Per Over – 4.95
Players To Watch Out For
Dawid Malan
One of the key players to keep a keen eye on is Dawid Malan, who has been in outstanding form this year. With a remarkable tally of 592 runs at an impressive average of 74 and an explosive strike rate of 97, Malan’s batting credentials are hard to overlook. He has consistently performed throughout the year.
His recent performances in the series against New Zealand were nothing short of exceptional, where he notched up two half-centuries and a century in three matches, earning himself a well-deserved ‘Man of the Series’ award.
Malan has proven to be a consistent and reliable batter, consistently delivering with both a high scoring rate and the ability to anchor the innings when needed. His impressive form and knack for scoring big runs make him a vital asset to England’s batting lineup.
Chris Woakes
Woakes brings a wealth of experience to the English side. When it comes to facing the Kiwis, he has been nothing short of exceptional. With a tally of 25 wickets against them at an impressive average of 23.9, the New Zealand lineup has often found itself struggling against him.
One of the most memorable chapters in his cricket career was his outstanding performance in the 2019 World Cup final against New Zealand. He delivered a spell that took three crucial wickets, leaving an indelible mark on that historic match.
Woakes has the ability to swing the ball both ways, especially during the initial overs and provide early breakthroughs which makes him a crucial component of the English bowling attack. England will rely on his experience and skill to make a significant impact in this crucial encounter.
Trent Boult
Boult boasts an exceptional World Cup record, having taken 39 wickets at an average of 21.8. He is known for his ability to swing the ball both ways and dismantle top-order batting line-ups. His mastery over the new ball and accuracy in the death overs make him a nightmare for any batting side.
Another factor why his role will be crucial is that England’s batting order is highly vulnerable against left-arm pacers, especially Bairstow and Stokes. Boult’s ability to exploit this weakness could be a game-changer in favour of New Zealand.
Boult is in red-hot form, having claimed 10 wickets in just 5 matches this year in which he also took a fifer against England. He also bowled a great spell in the second warm-up match against South Africa, clinching two wickets and giving only 20 runs in 5 overs. His performance will again be a decisive factor in the outcome of this match.
Daryl Mitchell
Daryl Mitchell has been a standout performer in recent times, consistently demonstrating his ability in both batting and bowling. This year, he scored 652 runs at an average of 43.5 with an impressive strike rate of 93. On the bowling front, he has taken 9 wickets at an average of 21.3
Mitchell’s exceptional form shone brightly in the recent Pakistan and England series, where he made significant contributions with both bat and ball. In the lone victory for New Zealand against England, he scored a century at an impressive strike rate. He also scored 2 centuries in the Pakistan series. His ability to build innings steadily and then accelerate when needed is a valuable asset to the team.
Daryl Mitchell is a versatile all-rounder who can also contribute with the ball, often breaking crucial partnerships at crucial moments. He embodies the complete all-rounder package, providing New Zealand with the balance and versatility they need in both batting and bowling departments. He will be a key player in New Zealand’s success not only in this match but throughout the tournament.
Devon Conway
New Zealand’s ‘Mr. Consistent’, Devon Conway has amassed 449 runs this year at an impressive average of 50, with a steady strike rate of 97. His role as a consistent opener in every format of the game has made him an indispensable asset to the New Zealand team.
Devon’s ability to anchor innings and accumulate runs steadily is like the backbone of the team’s batting line-up. His recent century in the England series, which coincided with New Zealand’s only victory, underlines just how crucial he is to the team’s success.
When Conway failed in the other three matches, New Zealand felt the impact and lost all of them, highlighting their reliance on his dependable batting performances. Once again, he’ll play a key role in deciding the fate of the Kiwis in this upcoming match.
Key Matchups
- Joe Root vs Trent Boult: 90 Runs, 104 Balls, 5 Dismissals
- Johnny Bairstow vs Trent Boult: 81 Runs, 112 Balls, 4 Dismissals
- Glenn Phillips vs Liam Livingstone: 11 Runs, 21 Balls, 2 Dismissals
- Tom Latham vs Chris Woakes: 32 Runs, 39 Balls, 2 Dismissals
- Tom Latham vs Moeen Ali: 54 Runs, 68 Balls, 3 Dismissals
ENG vs NZ Dream11 Team for Match 1 of 2023 WC
Note: This is not our final Dream11 Team as we are not aware of the Toss Result/Final Playing XI of both teams at this moment.
To remain updated and get our final Dream11 Team, Join our Telegram channel Clan For Gamers
