ODI World Cup 2023: Match 1: England vs New Zealand Preview – Pitch report, probable playing XI

The opening game of the upcoming ODI World Cup 2023 will be played between England and New Zealand on October 5. Both teams were the finalists in the previous World Cup in 2019. In that game, a clear winner wasn’t determined even after the 100 overs and the Super Over. In the end, boundary countback was used to determine the winners, which created a controversy.

A few months after this incident, the boundary count back rule was scrapped. Now, if a knockout or a league game is tied, multiple super-overs will be played. Meanwhile, coming back to this game, the 2019 finalists will take on each. Ahead of the series, both teams had a four-match ODI series, dominated by the Three Lions (3-1). However, things will be different in the World Cup opening game.

Pitch Report

Talking about the wicket at the Narendra Modi stadium, it will assist the pacers first up. However, with the old ball, it will come onto the bat nicely. Teams that will pick initial wickets/survive the new ball will have the upper hand.

Probable Playing XI

England: Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Liam Livingstone, Jos Buttler (wk and C), Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid, Gus Atkinson, Chris Woakes, David Willey

New Zealand: Devon Conway, Will Young, Kane Williamson (c), Mark Chapman, Tom Latham (wk), Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Rachin Ravindra, Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson

Weather Report

The weather in the capital city of Gujarat state will be clear all day, unlike Guwahati and Thiruvananthapuram. The game won’t be impacted by rain unless the weather gods have other plans