New Zealand captain Kane Williamson won the toss and chose to bowl against Bangladesh in the 11th match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Friday.

Williamson is back to lead the Kiwis after missing the opening two matches to regain match fitness following his recovery from a knee injury that he suffered during IPL 2023. The only change to the Kiwi side, Williamson replaced Will Young.

Bangladesh brought in Mahmudullah for Mahedi Hasan. New Zealand won both their matches to sit in the second position in the points table, while Bangladesh won one and lost one in their opening two games of the ODI showpiece.

The pitch that has been prepared for this match is a mix of black and red soil and was watered and rolled many times over on the eve of the match. 

The top surface may not to give away as soon as it did in the India-Australia match and could be harder and firmer, allowing batters to play their shots but the spinners will also be able to turn the ball. So a good battle between the bat and ball is expected. 

It is a much better batting surface and a lot harder and less rough as well. The cracks are not expected to open up soon as there is a little more grass.

Teams: 

Bangladesh: Litton Das (wk), Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Shakib Al Hasan(c), Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman 

New Zealand: Devon Conway (wk), Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson (c), Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk), Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult

Source: The Times of India

BDST: 1511 HRS, OCT 13, 2023
MN