England vs New Zealand Highlights, ICC World Cup 2023: NZ thrashes ENG by 9 wkts; Conway, Ravindra hit hundreds on WC debut

The defending champion was left clueless in the tournament opener against the losing finalist of the 2019 World Cup. There may have been very little to separate the two teams in that fateful final at Lord’s four years ago, but on Thursday the gulf between the two sides was vast. New Zealand chased down England’s 282 for nine without fuss and that it had 82 deliveries remaining meant that even another 100 runs would have made little difference to the result. Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra hit sublime and near-flawless centuries on their World Cup debut and added 273 runs for the second wicket to ensure Sam Curran remained the only England bowler to make an entry in the wickets column. England, on the other hand, was far from fluent with the bat. Even though it made a record by becoming the first team in ODI history to have all its 11 batters register double-digit figures, the Englishmen failed to convert their starts. Matt Henry was accurate with the new ball and deceptive at the death and picked three wickets while part-time off-spinner Glenn Phillips also dented the opposition by taking two key wickets. Even though it’s a long tournament, New Zealand didn’t want to leave too much for the end and did its Net Run Rate a huge deal of good by rushing towards victory and left England with a morale-denting and NRR-damaging defeat. That will be all from us for today. Join us for our LIVE coverage of tomorrow’s game between Pakistan and Netherlands in Hyderabad, that begins at 2 PM IST.

Player of the Match: Rachin Ravindra 123* (96) & 1/76

​​

ENG vs NZ: Conway-Ravindra record fourth-highest World Cup partnership with 273-run stand

ENG vs NZ, ODI World Cup 2023: Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra became the first New Zealand pair to record a 200-plus stand in a World Cup match in Ahmedabad on Thursday.

Ali to bowl. Two runs to get. Conway clips the first ball off the pads for a single. Ravindra with the winning run as New Zealand absolutely hammer England by nine wickets with 82 balls to spare.

Livingstone with the ball. FOUR! Conway reverse sweeps this well enough to beat short third and fetches a boundary. This is swept by Conway for two more. FOUR! Short and this is pulled away with force to the square-leg fence. That’s 150 up for Conway off just 119 balls. Tossed up and pummelled down the ground for one more. FOUR! Going down leg and Ravindra paddles this to the fine-leg boundary.

Curran will continue. SIX! Conway launches this high into the night sky and this also has the distance as the ball just sails over the midwicket boundary. FOUR! Slower ball and Conway slaps this hard and beats Moeen at mid-off to fetch another boundary. This short one is pulled crisply for a couple more at deep midwicket. This is punched gently off the backfoot by Conway through the covers for two more. Short and this is pulled away for another couple. Runs are coming thick and fast and the Kiwis are in a serious hurry to finish this off. FOUR! This is sent crashing down the ground and the power in his Conway shot means the wide long-on fielder cannot stop it.

Here comes Ali. SIX! Ravindra slog sweeps this over the midwicket fence for a maximum and New Zealand continues to cruise in this chase. This is slammed down the ground off the backfoot by Ravindra and some excellent diving work in the deep keeps it to a couple. Another two to end the over and that will be DRINKS.

​

Hundreds on ODI World Cup debut: Head joins Shafique, Conway, Ravindra in list of batters to record century on WC debut

ODI World Cup 2023: Here is a look at all batters who have struck a century on their World Cup debuts across 13 editions.

Curran returns. Back of the hand slower delivery to start with and this is slapped by Conway straight to mid-off. Short and pulled away for a single by Conway. Ravindra hammers this but finds the mid-off fielder to perfection. FOUR! Very slow outside off and Ravindra somehow manages to spank this down the ground for a boundary.

Ali will continue. A couple of singles off the first two deliveries. Ravindra cuts the third one well but straight to point. He drills the next one down the ground for one more. Full outside off and Conway drives it through covers for a single. Ravindra completely misses the last ball as he steps out for a big hit.

Livingstone continus. Ravindra moves to 99 with a single as he drops this into the covers. Down leg-side and Conway turns it down to fine-leg for one more. Livingstone pulls out of his bowling run-up even as Ravindra shapes up for his hundred. Flicked off the pads for a single and century for Ravindra off 82 balls. Take a bow, young man! FOUR! Conway reverse sweeps the next ball to the boundary behind point. FOUR! Reverse sweep again and this goes off the pads and past the keeper for four byes! Misery piling up on England.

Ali will continue. A single off the fourth ball of the over brings up the 200-run partnership, off 173 balls, between Conway and Ravindra. Conway goes for the reverse sweep last ball of the over but straight to short third. Only two singles from the over.

Livingstone comes into the attack. Short one down leg but he gets away with it as Conway only manages to sweep it to short fine-leg for a dot ball. Full on the pads and flicked away for single by Conway. Shortish and punched down the ground off the backfoot by Ravindra but mid-on cuts it off. Defended back to the bowler to end the over.

Moeen Ali comes back. FOUR! Short and Ravindra pulls this wide of mid-on and moves to 95 with that boundary. A couple of singles off the next two balls and Ravindra is back on strike. Conway’s was the fastest World Cup hundred by a Kiwi but Ravindra, at the other end, is very near to breaking that record very soon.

Wood will continue. Conway pulls this to fine-leg for a single and gets to his hundred off 83 balls on World Cup debut. Top knock from the southpaw, who hardly celebrates or even realises that he has reached the three-digit mark. FOUR! Width outside off and Conway gets on top of the bounce and slashes this in front of point for a boundary. A couple more next ball and New Zealand gets to 200 in 26.5 overs. Bouncer to end the over.

Rashid will continue. Conway is getting his front foot way outside the line of off-stump to counter Rashid. Rachin flicks one to fine-leg for a couple and moves to 89. Both left-handers nearing their maiden World Cup hundreds on World Cup debut. Ravindra cuts this one to deep point for one more and moves into the nineties. Conway moves to 99 with a single off the last ball.

Wood returns. Bumper angling in to the ribs and Conway nonchalantly swivels to pull the ball to square-leg for a single. Short again from Wood and Conway pulls it just over the mid-wicket fielder for FOUR.

Rashid continues to produce some spin from around the wicket. Conway and Rachin remain deep in the crease to fend off the late turf. Two from the over

Slower-ball in the slot and Ravindra hoists the ball with some panache down the ground for SIX! Short outside the off-stump and Rachin cuts the ball to third for a single.

Rashid gets some dip and turn from around the wicket to Rachin who drops back to play it through the off-side. Six runs from the over.

Conway charges towards his century. Woakes offers a fuller length and it is deposited straight back down the ground for FOUR.

Ravindra whips Rashid through mid-wicket for a single. Conway paddles a length ball down to fine-leg for two runs. Rashid tosses one up outside the off-stump and Conway pumps the ball over deep mid-wicekt for a massive SIX.

Woakes replaces Rashid. Tighter lines upon return but Conway and Rachin are pretty steely at the moment.

The runs continue flow at a steady pace. Three singles already in Moeen’s over. He drops short and Ravindra slices through point for another single. Moeen skids one in and it trudges close to the bat and pad. An appeal for lbw is turned down but England reviews. England loses the review as the impact is outside-off.

Low full-toss and Rachin whips the ball through mid-wicket for FOUR. A slew of singles to follow. Eight from the Rashid over.

Moeen rolls one in and Conway shoots it through extra cover for FOUR on the back of five singles in the over.

New Zealand’s motoring on at the moment. Fraction short from Rashid and Conway falt-bats it down the ground for FOUR. Rashid sprays one across the lin and Conway smears the ball through extra cover for another FOUR.

Moeen manages to skim through a quiet over for once and yet Conway and Ravindra bring up their 100-run stand in 77 deliveries!

Wrist-spin for the first time today. Adil Rashid into the attack. 100 up for NZ with a rash heave from Conway. Rashid flights one in and Rachin drives the ball to long-on with a flowing whip. Googly on the shorter side and Conway slices the ball past third for FOUR. A single follows and it’s FIFTY for Conway.

Moeen starts with a flatter line of attack to Ravindra. In the slot this time and Ravindra charges down to smoke the ball over long-on for a SIX - brings up his FIFTY in style off just 36 balls!

Wood fires in full and Conway retorts with a forceful thud down the ground for FOUR. Wood sends in a fiery bumper and Conway at best ducks out of it.Another bumper and Conway wallops the ball over a diving fine leg fielder for SIX.

Moeen Ali replaces Curran. Moeen slides one in and Ravindra swipes the ball to wide long-on. A superb dive from Livingstone cuts a boundary. Excellent work in the deep. Moeen tosses one short and Ravindra leans back to whack the ball over deep mid-wicket for SIX.

Wood fires one in and it flies back to the cover fence for FOUR with double the speed, courtesy of a blistering drive from Conway. A single to follow. Fiery bumper from Wood and Ravindra mistimes nearly on the full to short mid-wicket. Wood skids one in sharply and Conway uses all hands to slice it past short-third for FOUR more.

Curran drops short and Conway slams the ball through mid-wicket for FOUR, it’s a frenzy at the moment. A single to follow. Curran overpitches and Ravindra drives the ball sumptuously down the ground for FOUR.

Mark Wood replaces Woakes.

Wood hurls one to the pads and Conway flicks the ball through square-leg in a flash for FOUR. He clips another one down to fine-leg for a single Quick bumper outside the off-stump and Ravindra taps the ball past point for two runs. Fraction short from Wood and Ravindra swivels to pull the ball over square-leg for SIX! Wood switches sides. Another short ball and Ravindra easily guides it through point for another FOUR - 17 runs from the over!

Curran continues to slide the ball and find the inside-edge off the batters. Three singles on the trot. Ravindra and Conway tread on singles. Curran sprays the ball outside the off-stump and Ravindra pummels the ball through point for FOUR.

Rachin attempts to flick Woakes again but finds the mid-wicket fielder. Woakes sends in a bumper and Rachin taps it down. Hint of room and Rachin slices the ball over point for FOUR. Woakes errs in line and sends one down leg and Rachin deftly clips it down leg for another FOUR.

Curran continues to draw some swing away from the left-hander. Curran cuts one in high onto the pads. Loud shout but is denied by the umpire. He immediately follows up with a quicker delivery to Conway on the full and finds an inside-edge. Another maiden for Curran!

Conway taps one to mid-off and scampers for a risky single. Close, a direct-hit and he was a goner. Woakes goes a touch too straight and Rachin duly punishes the line with a wristy flick through mid-wicket for FOUR. Short from Woakes and Rachin swivels to crack the pull through mid-wicket for another FOUR.

Sam Curran into the attack.

Curran to Young, OUT! Edged and gone? Yes, the umpire raises his finger. Curran slides one in and the right-hander gently nicks it down leg to Buttler! Rachin Ravindra in at 3. Curran slides one in to length and gently moves the ball past the off-stump as Rachin shoulders arms. Curran skids one in and nearly hits Rachin’s pads first up. Back-of-a-length and Rachin taps it towards cover. Wicket-maiden for Curran.

Will Young c †Buttler b Curran 0 (1b)

Chris Woakes takes the new ball. Two slips in place for Conway.

Woakes goes full and wide and Conway leans into a drive through point for FOUR. Woake quickly corrects his line to cramp up the batter. Woakes slides one in and Conway flicks it down to fine-leg for two runs. Woakes overpitches again and Conway crunches the ball through extra cover for FOUR more.

Will Young and Devon Conway walk out for New Zealand as the Englishmen take the field.

​

ICC World Cup 2023: England sets unique record as all 11 players register double-digit scores

England created a unique record during the ICC World Cup 2023 opener against New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Thursday with all 11 batters recording a double-digit score.

A top-class bowling effort from New Zealand has restricted England to what feels like a below par score. At one point, with Root and Buttler digging in and then gradully cutting loose, it looked like the defending champion was on course for a 300-plus score. But Henry and Boult pulled it back at the backend with their variations while Phillips also pitched in with two crucial wickets. This score will still need some chasing though and let’s find out how the Kiwis go about hunting this down soon. Stay tuned!

Neesham to bowl the final over. Wood makes room on the off and carves this over point for a single. Slower one but down leg-side and the ball goes through Latham as the batters pinch a couple. Three extra runs. SIX! Rashid clatters that length ball on middle over midwicket for a maximum. Yorker next up and Rashid digs it out cover for a single. Low full toss on the stumps and Wood gets a single. Rashid swipes across the line and gets a single at deep square-leg. Under edge off the blade of Wood and a single to end the innings.

Now Boult bowls his last over. Wood almost chops on first ball as the ball goes off the inside half of the bat. Rashid slaps this wide length ball outside off for a single. Wood exposes his stumps and swipes this down the ground for one more. Good yorker to end the over and Boult ends with one for 48 in 10 overs.

Henry bowls out. Both right-handers are eyeing the third-man region and collect a couple and a single in that area. A bouncer from Henry next up and the ball goes over Rashid’s attempted pull. Wood bunts this to point and hurries for a quick single. Henry’s top-class spell comes to an end.

Boult from round the wicket to Rashid. A couple of singles at short third to start the over. Shortish, hip high and Rashid tucks it behind square for a dot ball. Hard length outside off and Rashid punches off the backfoot and scampers through for a quick single.

Henry is back at the backend. A couple of singles for Curran and Adil Rashid. A slower one next up and Curran can only tap it back to Henry. OUT! Short, angling in and Curran gets an edge to the keeper trying to flap this over third-man. Mark Wood is the last man in.

Now Santner bowls out. Short but Curran can only miscue the pull back to the bowler. A single each for Curran and Woakes off the next two balls as England now looks to play out its 50 overs. OUT! Tossed up, Woakes gets low to hammer this on the off-side but gets an edge that balloons up and taken by point.

Chris Woakes c Young b Santner 11 9 (12b 1x4).

Phillips will continue. Woakes start the over by clipping one off his pads for a single. Turning away and Curran gets a thick outside edge on the cut and just a single as it is stopped by cover. FOUR! Short and Woakes duly rocks back and pulls this away to the fine-leg boundary. This is on a length and Woakes punches it down the ground for one more. Full on the legs and flicked by Curran for a single.

Ravindra bowls out. This is shortish outside off and Curran cuts it for a single. Flighted on leg and Woakes drives it down the ground for a single. Slower and fullish and Curran strides and flicks this straight to mid-on along the ground. Tucked off the pads next ball for one more. Woakes ends the over with a single at long-on.

Phillips comes back. OUT! Another wicket out of the blue for Phillips. Root looked to reverse sweep but it was too full and the ball sneaked through under the bat. Chris Woakes is the No. 9. A couple of singles as Woakes and Curran rotate strike. Short of a length and Woakes goes inside his crease and punches this to long-on for one more. Curran cuts this away for a couple more. On the pads by flicked by Curran for a single.

Joe Root b Phillips 77 (86b 4x4 1x6)

So here we are in the last 10 overs of the innings. England will be looking to somehow scamper to 300. Here comes Ravindra. Root shuffles across slightly and turns this down to short-fine for a single. On a length and sliding on leg, Curran pushes it down the ground for a single. Wide outside off and Root cannot cut this well enough and only a single. Curran gets behind the line of the ball and defends it back to the bowler. Pulled by Curran to long-on for one more. Root takes a single off the last ball.

Santner is back. Root sweeps this to deep square for a single. Curran punches this down the ground for a single off the backfoot. Root sweeps this fine but stopped by the fielder in the ring. Slow in the air, turning into Root after pitching and played off the backfoot to mid-on. A single to end the over.

Boult comes back. Round the wicket to right-handers. Slower one the knuckle ball skids under Livingstone’s bat. This beats Livingstone’s attempted drive outside off. OUT! Four dot balls built pressure and Livingstone buckled. This is slower again and Livingstone is early into the flick and ends up chipping this to Henry at long-on. Sam Curran comes in. Guides this to point fielder. Maiden wicket for Boult.

Liam Livingstone c Henry b Boult 20 (22b 3x4)

Neesham with the ball. Fullish around off and defended back. Veering on the pads and down leg side and Livingstone misses the flick, resulting in a nothing LBW appeal. Chopped by Livingstone for a single at deep point. Full outside off and Root whips it after stepping forward through midwicket for one more. FOUR! Full outside off and Livingstone guides this with open face behind for a boundary behind point.

FOUR! Root reverse scoops this delivery from Henry for four runs. Neesham slides in the deep but cannot keep the ball from hitting the rope. Short from Henry and pulled away stylishly for a single by Root. Short of a length, veering down leg and Livingstone misses the pull as the ball hits his thigh pad. Six runs from the over.

Santner is here. Root gets a bit of a top edge on the sweep and a couple for him as the ball lands safely in the vacant area behind square-leg. Just five runs from the over.

Ravindra continues. Livingstone takes a step forward and plays this on off for a single. Root sweeps for another single next ball. FOUR! Down leg an Livingstone helps it along the way to the rope behind. Driven through extra-cover for a single next ball. Slightly short outside off and Root cuts off the backfoot for a single. FOUR! Short again and this is pullled away by Livingstone to the midwicket fence. 200 up for England in 35 overs.

Henry will continue. Short but doesn’t quite sit up and Root pulls this for a single to deep square-leg. OUT! Wobble seam doing the trick. This was short of a good length and came back in a bit off the pitch. Buttler tried to nibble it away through short-third but got an outside edge to the keeper. Livingstone is in next. Greeted with a bouncer and he takes evasive action straight away as the ball pings off his helmet. The mandatory concussion check is underway. Shortish angling in on off and Root dabs this to third man for a single. Short again and this is pulled away by Livingstone for a single at deep square-leg.

Jos Buttler c Latham b Henry 43 (42b 2x4 2x6)

Ravindra is back. Fullish on middle and Buttler powers this down the ground. Mitchell puts in a brilliant effort at the boundary and saves a couple. FOUR! Deftly reverse-paddled by Root for a boundary. This is more of a reverse-sweep now but straight to point fielder. Shortish, sliding down leg and Root tucks it for a single off the backfoot.

Henry is back. Short one and Root hops and tucks it off his hips for a single behind square. Close to off, on a good length and Buttler chops it for a single through point. Root gets an inside edge as he looks to cut this length ball. Slower one and Root glides this to fine-leg for a single. FOUR! Pristine timing and placement from Buttler. Full outside off and Buttler drives this through extra-cover for a boundary.

Neesham is here. Root goes for the reverse scoop first ball but is in a bit of a soup and ends up playing it down into the pitch and high off the bat. FOUR! Buttler punches this beautifully through covers and beats the fielder in the deep too. Four dot balls after that boundary and just five from it finally.

Boult continues. Root clips a full one off his pads for a single and gets to his fifty off 57 balls. Just a single from the over.

Neesham comes back. Full and veering on the pads, clipped by Buttler through midwicket for a single. Root drives through cover-point for one more. SIX! On a length outside off and Buttler shovels this down the ground for another maximum. Full around off-stump and Buttler drives with a slightly open face for a single. Slower one and Root tucks this away to fine-leg for a single. Buttler ends the over by defending this back to Neesham.

Boult is back. Round the wicket to Buttler. Fullish outside off and driven to point. Short of a length outside off and punched for a single through cover-point. Fuller and Root pushes the ball through to deep cover for one more. Coming in with the angle and honing in on off-stump and Buttler guides it to point for a dot. Full on middle and off and Buttler drives powerfully through covers for two more. A single to end the over.

Ravindra continues. SIX! Buttler finally cuts loose. Flighted on middle and Buttler sends the ball sailing down the ground for a maximum. Width outside off next ball and cut away hard by Buttler for two more. Flatter on a length on off and Buttler opens the face of the bat for a single through point. 150 up for England in 27 overs with a single through short-third.

Santner again. He is cramping the right-handers by keeping it on middle and leg and sliding it in further into them. Just four singles from the over.

Rachin slides the ball in and Root sweeps it fine down leg for FOUR. Seven from the over as Buttler fails to put Rachin past the cover fielder.

Santner continues to test the balls in the crease. Buttler and Root keep the board ticking with singles. Not much room on offer and Buttler tempers down his game to ones and twos.

Rachin varies his pace and lengths. Buttler and Root is content with singles around the field. Four from the over.

Glenn Phillips replaces Neesham. Phillips to Moeen, OUT! Bowled him! England’s in a rut now as Moeen plays all around a length ball. A gentle off-break and Moeen rocks back to pull but plays through the wrong line as the ball hits the off-stump. Jos Buttler is in at 6. A couple of singles to follow.

Moeen Ali b Phillips 11 (17b 1x4)

Rachin continues. Moeen pushes a ball through mid-on for a single. The batters nudge about the gaps consistently to find singles. Six from the over.

Neesham overpitches and Root leans into a drive through cover for a single. Neesham comes over the wicket and angles the ball in towards the stump. He is greeted by a solid block.

Rachin slides one in and Root works the ball down to long-on for a single. Four from the over.

Moeen Ali in at 5. Neesham tails the ball in and Root flicks the ball towards mid-on. A direct hit at the non-striker’s but Root’s well home. Neesham attacks the stumps and Moeen gets an inside-edge through square for a single. Neesham strays down leg and Root gently brushes the ball past the keeper for FOUR. Short ball and Moeen swivels to pull through mid-wicket for FOUR.

Rachin Ravindra replaces Santner. Short ball outside the off-stump and Bairstow drives it through cover for a single. Short again and Brook drags it over mid-wicket for FOUR. Santner errs again with a short ball and Brook pulls it across the line for another FOUR. Another short ball and Brook rocks back to pummel the ball over mid-wicket for SIX! Rachin to Brook, OUT! IN THE AIR and taken this time! Brook has missed out ona freebie. Another short ball, a fraction outside the off-stump and Brook mistimes the ball to Conway at deep mid-wicket.

Harry Brook c Conway b Ravindra 25 (16b 4x4 1x6)

Jimmy Neesham replaces Boult. Neesham starts with a loosener and Brook duly crunches him through extra cover for FOUR. A single to follow. Neesham corrects his line quickly and concedes six from his opening over.

Santner continues to employ impressive lines. He angles in and hits Root on the back pad. Root attempts a paddle-sweep but fails to get the past the fielder. A single to follow

Short from Boult and Brook guides the ball through backward square for FOUR. Boult mixes up his lengths and follows up with four straight dots.

Santner to Bairstow, OUT! In the air and straight to wide long-off. A length ball outside the off-stump and Bairstow chips it straight to the deep. A tame dismissal for the England opener. Harry Brook in at 4.

Jonny Bairstow c Mitchell b Santner 33 (35b 4x4 1x6)

Change of ends for Boult. He comes around the wicket. Boult angles one in and Root pulls out an audacious reverse-scoop for SIX! A single to end the over.

Santner continues to maintain tight lines. Bairstow and Root nudge about the gaps for singles. Another flat, round-arm delivery and Bairstow squeezes it to backward point.

Henry slids one on a fuller length and moves the ball past Root’s outside-edge. Root follows up with a single to square-leg. FIFTY up for England as Bairstow pumps the ball through long-off for FOUR.

Santner loops one in and Root reverse-sweeps the ball to third for a single. Fraction short and Bairstow drives the ball to long-off for another run. Santner dips one on length and Root works the ball through the on-side for a single.

Henry continues. He sends in a quick bumper to Bairstow who leaves the ball on length. A single to follow. Henry to Malan, OUT! Edged and gone! Fuller ball and a hard push from Malan finds the outside-edge to Latham. Joe Root is in at 3. He tails one in and Root pushes the ball towards mid-off for a single.

Dawid Malan c †Latham b Henry 14 (24b 2x4)

Mitchell Santner replaces Boult. Appreciable lines from the left-arm spinner first-up. Bairstow and Malan tread on singles. Quicker one from Santner finds the edge from Malan but it springs off Latham’s gloves in a flash.

Henry hits the fuller length and Bairstow digs it out to the off-side. Henry follows up with a off-cutter that hits Bairstow high on the pads. Length from Henry and Bairstow taps the ball towards point. Henry overpitches and Bairstow mistimes a drive over mid-off for FOUR. Full and wide from Henry and Bairstow drills the ball through backward point for another FOUR. A single to follow. Nine from it.

Boult sprays one wide outside the off-stump and Malan thwacks it over backward point for FOUR, lightning quick! Slower ball from Boult and it shapes away for a wide. Straighter line and Boult beats the outside-edge as Malan stands stuck in the crease. Three dots on the trot. Boult angles in one in and closes out the over with another dot.

Henry continues to keep Malan in check. Another outswinger whizzes past the blade. Malan attempts to step out and shuffle but Henry continues to keep impressive control over his line to cramp up the batter. Half-tracker from Henry and Malan crunches the ball through extra cover for FOUR. Henry shortens his length and rushes the ball past Malan’’s horizontal bat. Width on offer and Malan leads the ball down to third for a single.

Boult swings one in from length and Bairstow quickly taps it back down the ground. Fuller ball and Bairstow pushes it towards mid-off and sets off on a quick single. Boult tucks one in and Malan flicks the ball through mid-wicket for two runs. Boult overpitches and Malan creams the ball towards cover and finds only a single.

Matt Henry into the attack.

LOUD APPEAL first ball as Henry swings one into Malan who shuffles across for a flick and misses. The ball thuds into the pad but umpire Dharmasena signals height. New Zealand reviews and loses it as the replays suggest that the ball is missing the wickets. Brilliant delivery yet again from Henry as he pushes the ball past the outside-edge to Latham this time, beaten! Beaten again. Henry continues to shape the ball late and he gets another to move away from length past Malan’s bat to the keeper. Room outside the off-stump this time and Malan drives the ball straight to point. Another straight delivery and Malan taps it towards the point fielder, no run. Maiden for Henry.

Trent Boult up with the new ball. Jonny Bairstow to face the first ball of this World Cup.

A hint of shape from length and Bairstow taps the ball back towards Boult. Angling in and straying to the pads and Bairstow nonchalantly flicks the second ball through square-leg for SIX! Straighter this time and Bairstow works the ball towards mid-on for a single. Malan’s off the mark with a single. A touch outside the off-stump and Bairstow gently pushes the ball down the ground for FOUR. Conway attempts a slide but his knee digs into the pitch but he manages to avoid a serious injury.

The Kiwis take the field as Jonny Bairstow and Dawid Malan walk out for England.

The players walk out for the national anthems. However, it’s disappointing to see deserted stands across the stadium. Sachin Tendulkar, the ambassador of the World Cup, walks out to join match referee Javagal Srinath in the field.

England XI: Jonny Bairstow, Harry Brook, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (c, wk), Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Sam Curran, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood.

New Zealand XI: Devon Conway, Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (c, wk), Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Jimmy Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Trent Boult.

TOSS: New Zealand wins toss, opts to bowl

Latham: Going to have a bowl. Looks a reasonably good surface. Hopefully later on it gets better to bat. Preparation has been great. Guys came together from different parts of the world a week ago. Unfortunately Kane’s not quite ready yet. Ferguson has got a bit of a niggle. Sodhi, Kane, Southee all miss out.

Buttler: Would’ve bowled first as well. Looks a really good wicket. Preparation has been okay. Had a good series against NZ at home. Very proud of the achievement four years ago. Ben’s going to miss this game. Has a niggle with his hip. Guys missing out are Atkinson, Topley, Willey and Stokes.

Jos Buttler and Tom Latham are out in the middle.

Live visuals show Stokes limbering up. Still looks a bit ginger and we’re still unsure if he is going to make the XI. Looks likely that he would not play today as he is being guided by a physio to a few exercises.

​

England skipper Jos Buttler backed his side’s attacking approach to hold it in good stead in Indian conditions as it tries to defend the 50-over World Cup crown.

ODI World Cup 2023: Buttler backs England’s attacking approach in title defence in Indian conditions

England skipper Jos Buttler backed his side’s attacking approach to hold it in good stead in Indian conditions as it tries to defend the 50-over World Cup crown.

Matches played: 10

England won: 4

New Zealand won: 5

Tied: 1

Last result: Match tied

Last five results: ENG won - 1; NZ won - 3; Tied - 1

Wicketkeeper: Jos Buttler, Devon Conway (vc), Jonny Bairstow

Batters: Daryl Mitchell, Joe Root (c), Glen Phillips

All-rounders: Liam Livingstone, Rachin Ravindra

Bowlers: Trent Boult, Chris Woakes, Reece Topley

Team Composition: ENG 6:5 NZ Credits Left: 13

​

Who will win ICC World Cup 2023? Answer lies in what wins World Cups

ICC World Cup 2023 Predictor: Here is a look at the top three factors that have historically determined the winner of cricket’s biggest prize. Take a look at the stats and numbers to make a calculated prediction.

The days when the ODI World Cup represented the pinnacle of the sport, the highest form of cricket, are long gone. Now, it is a snapshot of where the game stands.

This World Cup opener, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Thursday, pits the world’s deepest batting lineup, reflecting modernity, against a side with a philosophy rooted in a can-do attitude.

For England, New Zealand has joined Australia as the most determined competitor. Sans the political and historic subtexts in the sport, it offers, in many ways, a more wholesome, less fraught rivalry than its Ashes rival.

Chastised for getting caught in a defensive mindset at the 2015 World Cup, on its first outing since, England took on New Zealand and amassed 408, smashing 38 fours and a record 14 sixes. Joe Root made a hundred, and Jos Buttler scored 129 off 77 balls. It was with this game that the Three Lions decided to wed their new-found pragmatism to the players’ panache.

England is currently sweating on all-rounder Ben Stokes’ fitness as he is nursing a hip niggle. Harry Brook could bat at No. 4 if Stokes is sidelined. England’s middle-order boasts a cluster of left-handers, but Liam Livingstone and Brook can provide variety. Employing off-cutters during the middle-overs could be an effective strategy against the right-hand/left-hand combination. READ MORE

Join us on an X Spaces chat at 1:30 p.m. to have a glance at all the updates from Ahmedabad.

NEW ZEALAND

Devon Conway, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Tom Latham(w/c), Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Ish Sodhi, Matt Henry, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson, Tim Southee, Mitchell Santner, James Neesham

ENGLAND

Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler(w/c), Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood, Harry Brook, Gus Atkinson, Reece Topley, David Willey

When will ENG vs NZ World Cup match be played?

The England vs New Zealand ICC ODI World Cup 2023 match will be played on Thursday, October 5.

What time will ENG vs NZ World Cup match begin?

The England vs New Zealand ICC ODI World Cup 2023 match will begin at 2:00 PM IST.

Which TV channel will broadcast ENG vs NZ World Cup match Live?

The ICC ODI World Cup 2023 match between England and New Zealand will be telecast LIVE on the Star Sports network from 2:00 PM IST onwards.

Where to watch Live streaming of ENG vs NZ World Cup match?

The ICC World Cup 2023 match between New Zealand and England will be streamed LIVE on the Disney+Hotstar app and website.

​