Produced by: Tarun Mishra
Designed by: Mohsin Shaikh
In the highly anticipated ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 opener, England, led by Jos Buttler, and the New Zealand team, captained by Tom Latham, are set to clash today at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium, where England will defend their title
England's Test captain, Ben Stokes, returns to One Day Internationals (ODIs) with high expectations. Stokes played a pivotal role in England's World Cup triumph in 2019 and their T20 World Cup victory the following year. However, his performance in the 2023 IPL season with CSK was far from his best, participating in just two matches and facing challenges both with the bat and ball
New Zealand faces the absence of key players like Tim Southee and Kane Williamson for their opening match against England. The responsibility of spearheading the bowling attack falls on veteran Trent Boult. Boult showcased his skills during the IPL 2023 season with the Rajasthan Royals, taking 13 wickets and contributing to the team's success
Mark Wood's sheer pace, especially on pitches in India that often lack bounce, could be a crucial asset for England during the middle overs. Wood, who represented the Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2023, demonstrated his capabilities by claiming 11 wickets in just four matches
With Kane Williamson absent for the tournament opener, Devon Conway shoulders the responsibility of providing a strong start for New Zealand at the top order. His exceptional form, evidenced by a stellar IPL 2023 performance with the Chennai Super Kings, where he amassed 924 runs in 23 matches, makes him a vital asset for the Kiwi side
Adil Rashid's leg-spin bowling holds the potential to be a game-changer for England, particularly during the middle overs. In conditions favourable to spin, Rashid's ability to take crucial wickets can greatly impact England's defensive strategy. Despite limited IPL 2023 appearances with Sunrisers Hyderabad, he remains a genuine wicket-taker
New Zealand's captain, Kane Williamson, suffered a knee injury while playing for the Gujarat Titans in IPL 2023. He underwent surgery for a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee and has been sidelined from all forms of cricket for the past six months. However, there is optimism surrounding his potential return in subsequent matches
In the 95 ODIs played between England and New Zealand, both teams have demonstrated remarkable competitiveness. England has secured victory 45 times, while New Zealand has claimed victory on 44 occasions. Four matches ended without a result, with two of them resulting in ties, showcasing the closely contested history between these two cricketing powerhouses