2023 ODI World Cup: Preview for first game between New Zealand vs. England in Ahmedabad

Kane Williamson and Jos Buttler will walk into the cauldron in front of a million fans for a toss on Thursday. The occasion is a huge one as the 2023 ODI World Cup is slated to begin in Ahmedabad. This is a rematch from the 2019 ODI World Cup final which was won by England for the first time.

Both teams are no strangers to each other. England and New Zealand recently played in a four-match-ODI series. Jos Buttler and his team won the series in a canter. Kane Williamson on the other comes into the 2023 ODI World Cup on the back of a long injury lay-off.

Here is everything you need to know about the first game of the 2023 ODI World Cup between England and New Zealand.

2023 ODI World Cup (source-twitter)

Match Venue – Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad

Match Time – 14:00 Hours IST

Date of Match – 5^th of October, 2023

Likely pitch conditions –

The Narendra Modi Stadium has held three ODI games since the ground was renovated. In the last two games, the teams chasing had won the match. Speaking about the pitch the pace bowlers tend to get lots of bounce and carry with the new ball.

The spin bowlers come into the equation once the ball goes old. Reverse swing could also come into the equations towards the middle part of the innings. The captain winning the toss might choose to bat first as the weather is expected to be hot and humid.

Ahmedabad was the venue where India had beaten Australia during the 2011 World Cup. Narendra Modi Stadium is known for its ability to produce lots of boundaries during the game. With an easy pitch to bat and an electric outfield, one may see the 2023 ODI World Cup opener producing a huge score.

Head to Head ODI World Cup record

Matches Played – 10

England Win – 5

New Zealand Win – 5

Likely England XI –

Jonny Bairstow, Harry Brook, Dawid Malan/Ben Stokes, Joe Root, Moeen Ali, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood, Reece Topley.

Likely New Zealand XI –

Devon Conway, Will Young, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult, Matt Henry, and Lockie Ferguson.