ICC CWC 2023 ENG vs NZ 1st Match Head-to-Head Stats, Top Players, Match Preview, Fantasy Team and Betting Tips
Who can forget that unforgettable Super Over in the final of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019? It was the match that saw Ben Stokes produce a remarkable performance to turn the game in England’s favor and snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. That contest stands as one of the greatest ODIs in the history of the World Cups, and it culminated in England claiming their first-ever ODI World Cup title in 2019.
Now, in the opening match of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, we have the finalists from 2019, England and New Zealand, facing off once again. It promises to be an exciting and thrilling encounter. If you’re looking to add even more excitement to the tournament, follow our articles, place your cricket bets, and stand a chance to win significant cash rewards and other fantastic prizes. Also, read out our ICC CWC Winner Prediction article to check who is our winner of this World Cup edition.
ICC CWC 2023 ENG vs NZ Match Details
The opening match of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 between England and New Zealand is scheduled to be held on October 5th at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The match is set to commence at 2 PM IST.
Pitch Conditions
The pitch at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad is typically batsman-friendly, with some assistance for the pacers due to extra bounce. Batsmen will need to exercise caution while playing their shots. In general, teams winning the toss are likely to opt for batting first to set a challenging target for their opponents in the second innings.
Ground Records
Head-to-Head Stats
| Total Matches | ENG won | NZ won | Tie / Draw | No Result |
| 95 | 44 | 44 | 2 | 4 |
Both teams have been giving stiff competition to each other. None of them is ahead of each other.
ICC Men’s CWC 2023 ENG vs NZ Match Preview
Team England
England, the current defending champions, are gearing up to protect their title in the upcoming ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. Eoin Morgan led the victorious team in the 2019 edition, but now the reins are in the hands of Jos Buttler, who captained England to a successful T20 World Cup win in 2022.
As the ICC requested all participating teams to finalize their 15-member squads, England has revealed their lineup with a few noteworthy changes. The prolific opener, Jason Roy, who played a pivotal role in their 2019 World Cup win, has been omitted due to a slump in form. In his place, the emerging talent Harry Brook has been given an opportunity after an impressive year.
Ben Stokes, the hero of the last World Cup, initially announced his retirement a few months back but has since returned to the squad, retaining his spot. A surprising inclusion in the team is Gus Atkinson, a promising fast bowler who impressed selectors with his performances in the County Championship and The Hundred. While Atkinson lacks international experience, the confidence of Jos Buttler and the selectors bodes well for his performance.
The squad also retains key players such as Mark Wood, Joe Root, Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Adil Rashid, and Chris Woakes, providing stability and experience. New additions to the squad include Liam Livingstone, Reece Topley, Sam Curran, and Dawid Malan.
In a recent series against New Zealand, comprising both T20Is and ODIs, England showcased their dominance. New Zealand fought back valiantly in the T20Is to level the series at 2-2 after losing the first two matches. However, in the ODIs, England started strongly, with New Zealand winning the opening match but then facing three consecutive defeats. Dawid Malan emerged as the leading run-scorer in the series, closely followed by Ben Stokes. Moeen Ali and Reece Topley delivered exceptional bowling performances, picking up crucial wickets.
Team New Zealand
The finalists of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019, New Zealand, have also unveiled their 15-member squad for the upcoming tournament. Kane Williamson, the elegant and classic batsman, who suffered an injury during this year’s IPL, is expected to return as the team’s captain. The New Zealand management has been closely monitoring his fitness, and if he doesn’t fully recover in time, the wicketkeeper-batsman Tom Latham is slated to lead the side.
New Zealand is renowned for its professionalism and strategic brilliance in cricket. They have consistently performed well in ICC events and have been finalists in multiple recent tournaments, including the ODI World Cup in 2015 and 2019, the T20 World Cup in 2021, and the ICC World Test Championship in 2021. Among these events, they clinched the ICC World Test Championship. The team enjoys immense popularity among cricket enthusiasts, with Kane Williamson being one of the most beloved cricketers worldwide.
The 15-member squad largely consists of familiar faces from the 2019 World Cup, with a few new additions. Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, and Will Young are the newcomers to the squad. New Zealand appears well-rounded in all departments, boasting a mix of experienced players and emerging talents. The bowling attack features Trent Boult, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Ish Sodhi, and Jimmy Neesham, while Mark Chapman adds aggression to the middle-order batting. Rachin Ravindra’s left-arm spin bowling provides valuable variation, and Daryl Mitchell’s impressive all-round form will be vital for the team’s success.
In a recent tour to England, New Zealand faced a 3-1 defeat in the ODI series after taking an initial lead of 1-0. Daryl Mitchell and Devon Conway were the standout performers with the bat, while the bowlers put in commendable efforts. Trent Boult emerged as the leading wicket-taker, and Rachin Ravindra made crucial breakthroughs with his spin bowling. To overcome this setback and challenge England in the World Cup, New Zealand will need to deliver exceptional performances, especially after the ODI series loss.
Top Players to Watch
We will take the recent stats of the NZ tour of ENG to analyze the current form of the team and players.
Team England
| Player | Matches | Runs | Batting Average | Strike Rate | Wickets | BowlingAverage | BowlingEco. |
| D Malan | 3 | 277 | 92.3 | 105.7 | |||
| B Stokes | 3 | 235 | 78.3 | 115.7 | |||
| L Livingstone | 4 | 186 | 62 | 110 | 4 | 24.2 | 4.9 |
| M Ali | 3 | 7 | 17.5 | 5.8 | |||
| D Willey | 3 | 5 | 18.8 | 5.2 |
Team New Zealand
| Player | Matches | Runs | Batting Average | Strike Rate | Wickets | BowlingAverage | BowlingEco. |
| D Mitchell | 4 | 196 | 65.3 | 104.2 | 2 | 25 | 5.5 |
| D Conway | 4 | 141 | 47 | 80.5 | |||
| T Boult | 2 | 8 | 11 | 5.4 | |||
| R Ravindra | 4 | 93 | 31 | 7 | 24 | 6.4 |
Team Squads
Team England
Jos Buttler (c), Harry Brook, Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, Joe Root, Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid, David Willey, Gus Atkinson, Mark Wood, Reece Topley
Team New Zealand
Kane Williamson (c), Devon Conway, Will Young, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Philips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitch Santner, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry
ICC Men’s CWC 2023 ENG vs NZ Match Predictions
Team England
Team New Zealand
Probable Playing XI
Team England
Harry Brook, Dawid Malan, Joe Root, Liam Livingstone, Jos Buttler (c), Sam Curran, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood, Reece Topley
Team New Zealand
Devon Conway, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (c), Jimmy Neesham, Mitch Santner, Rachin Ravindra, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson
ICC CWC 2023 ENG vs NZ Betting Tips
The upcoming match promises to be a thrilling contest, with both teams displaying their strengths. While England secured victory in the recently concluded ODI series against New Zealand, the Kiwis are determined to provide a tough challenge, making the outcome of the match uncertain.
Fantasy Team
Based on the stats above, this could be the winning fantasy team.
Conclusion
England exhibited their dominance over New Zealand in the recently concluded T20I and ODI series on English soil. New Zealand eagerly awaits the return of their pivotal batsman, Kane Williamson. The opening match of the ICC Men’s CWC 2023 promises to be a thrilling contest. Who will kickstart the tournament with a victory? Tune in to the live action on match day to witness the outcome and don’t miss the opportunity to participate and win fantastic cash prizes on the 24betting App. Register Now!
