Reigning Champions England and former runners up New Zealand lock horns today at iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, India to kick start CWC 2023.
Needless to mention that it will be a repeat of the very intriguing final of CWC 2019 which England won in super over at Lords after two teams tied in 50 overs. In quality, experience, and present form these two teams are evenly matched and are considered among the favorites for reaching the finals. Many of the players of the two teams play regularly in India in the IPL. New Zealand had great work outs having won two of their practice matches against strong Pakistan and South Africa. England -India match was rain ruined. English Lions won their other match against Bangladesh by 4 wickets.
England: Joss Buttler (Captain), Moeen Ali, Gus Atkinson, Jonny Bairstow, Sam Curran, Liam Livingston, David Malan, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Reece Topley, David Willey, Mark Wood and Chris Woakes
Reigning Champions England has all avenues covered to produce their flamboyant Bazball style T20 mode of cricket which they admire in all three formats now. Jonny Bairstow, David Malan, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Liam Livingston are all blasters and tees off right from the start. The team also possess some wonderful all rounders in Sam Curran, David Willey, Chris Woakes and Adil Rashid. Whether in setting up a challenging target or chasing England is well prepared. Most players have fair idea of Indian wickets and environment. In Mark Wood, Reece Topley, Chris Woakes, Sam Curran, David Willey England has horses for the courses pace bowling unit. Adil Rashid is a wicket taking leg spinner, Moeen Ali, Liam Livingston and Joe Root are more than useful spinners. England is considered strong favorites for even reaching the final and winning again. England won the trophy in 2019 and were losing finalist in 1979 in England, 1987 in India and in 1992 in Australia. It will be a great match between the two evenly matched teams. Two of the key players Jofra Archer and Jason Roy are missing the tournament for injuries.
New Zealand: Kane Williamson (Captain), Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Glen Philips, Will Young, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi and Tim Southee.
Like England, New Zealand also possess a very strong and balanced unit with quality pace bowlers Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson, Mat Henry, great aggressive batsmen Devon Conway, Tom Latham, Will Young, Mark Chapman. In Ish Sodhi, Mitch Santner and Rachine Ravindra black caps has more than capable spin attack. Led by charismatic Kane Williamson the team of its golden generation possibly playing its last World Cup richly deserves winning their first World Cup. They are unassuming but are considered silent killers. Black Caps are among the best fielding teams in the tournament. They also play cricket to the truest spirit of the game.
We usually know that the host play the first match of any tournament. This year it is a rare exception. The two teams in the recent past met a few in the bilateral ODI series which England won. New Zealand won two practice matches against Pakistan and South Africa in high scoring encounters. Their captain Kane Williamson the player of CWC 2019 steadily got back into strides from injury. It will be hell of a contest today. The team winning in any team’s match will gain an advantage.
BDST: 0853 HRS, OCT 05, 2023
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