England vs New Zealand - 1st Match (D/N), Ahmedabad, October 05, 2023 - Preview
October 5, 2023: The cricket inferno kicks off with the first match played between the two ever hopefuls who carry mixed emotions from an evenly matched contest at Lords in the previous edition of the ICC ODI World Cup.
The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, the venue for the first game of the 2023 edition of 50-Overs world cup has hosted 3 games after the renovation. 2 games went in favor of the team that batted 2nd and 1 game went in favor of the team that batted first. We know that 3 games are not an enough sample size to decide what decisions would be right and what decisions are wrong.
England is transforming the way cricket is played. Coming into this edition of the world cup as the defending champions, England would like to put the argument of lucky winners to rest by becoming only the second non – Asian country to win a world cup conducted in Asia.
Between the 2 world cups, England is maintaining a win – loss ratio of 1.375. Leaving the no results aside, they win around 59% of their games. The Kiwis also maintain a near number of 60%.
Unlike the previous 2 editions where both teams have had conditions that suit their style of play, the sub-continent wickets and weather conditions are quite different. The game plan must be different. Both teams are getting on to the field with their best possible combinations and given the pedigree of the team members, they have a great chance of making it to the semis.
The key differentiators for the English would be Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran and Chris Woakes and it is to be seen who among these three will make it to the final cut. Daryll Mitchell and James Neesham will be looking to add to the fire power but the obvious disadvantage New Zealand have is the non – availability of good Bowling All-Rounders.
The Pure Cricket panel looks at the best squad that can offer a full platter of entertainment.
England: Jos Butler, David Malan, Joe Root, Johny Bairstow, Harry Brook, Moeen Ali, Liam Livingstone, Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood, Reece Topley.
New Zealand: Tom Latham, Devon Convay, Glenn Philips, Will Young, Mark Chapman, Rachin Ravindra, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Fergusson, Trent Boult.
Toss: Bat first
Our prediction – England will have tough time but will win the contest.
- Sairam, Team Pure Cricket
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Pics: Internet
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