Two giants of the cricket world England and New Zealand locked horns at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Thursday (October 5) in the opening match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. In absence on Kane Williamson, stand-in skipper Tom Latham won the toss and elected to bowl first in absence of Tim Southee and Ish Sodhi in the lineup. There was a moment of madness when England batter Joe Root played his trademark reverse ramp shot against Trent Boult to get a 80 meter six over 3rd man.
Watch the video here:
England captain Jos Buttler informed at the toss that Ben Stokes is also not available for the opening clash. He suffered from a slight hip injury and the management did not want to force him in the lineup so early in the tournament. ('Just Embarrassing', Fans Roast Organisers After Spotting Empty Stadium At Ahmedabad For ENG vs NZ Cricket World Cup 2023 Opener)
New Zealand: Devon Conway, Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham(w/c), Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Matt Henry, Mitchell Santner, James Neesham, Trent Boult.
England: Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler(w/c), Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood. (More to follow)