Picture : ICC / X
After their heart-breaking 2019 final loss in the ICC World Cup at Lord’s, New Zealand extracted revenge as they crushed defending Champions England by nine wickets on a belter at Narendra Modi Stadium , Ahmedabad in the opening match of the 2023 World Cup.
The crowd presence though was hugely disappointing with the sight of empty stands exposing BCCI’s tall claims of tickets been sold out .
Earlier New Zealand Skipper Kane Williamson won the toss and had no hesitation to bowl first . England would be dejected as all their batsmen got the starts but could not make it big – Jonny Bairstow ( 33) , Dawid Malan ( 14) , Joe Root hit a stroke full ( 77), Harry Brook ( 25 , Moeen Ali (11), Skipper Jos Buttler ( 43) , Liam Livingstone (20), Sam Curran ( 14. England managed to score 282/ 9 in their 50 overs.
For the Kiwis Matt Henry was the pick of the bowlers with 3/48 ( 10 overs) , Mitchell Santner 2/37 ( 10 overs), Trent Boult 1/ 48 ( 10 overs), James Neesham was expensive 0/56 ( 7 overs) , Rachin Ravindra 1/ 76 ( 10 overs) , Glenn Phillips 2/ 17 ( 3 overs)
In reply the Kiwis were solid and went about the chase with confidence . They lost opener Will Young early for 0 . But that was the only wicket England bowlers could take in the match . Devon Conway who impressed in the CSK’s IPL 2023 Title win campaign was in sublime form. Conway smashed a super unbeaten 152 off mere 121 balls with 19 fours and 3 sixes. And giving him able company was Rachin Ravindra who too did not miss out on good batting surface , scoring an unbeaten 123 off 96 balls studded with 11 fours and five sixes . As the Kiwis romped home by thumping 9 wickets reaching 283 / 1 in 36. 2 overs. Conway and Ravindra put up a record unbeaten partnership of 273
For England bowlers it was a bad day in office and their figures said it all – Chris Woakes 0/ 45 ( 6 overs), Sam Curran 1/47 ( 6 overs), Mark Wood 0/55 ( 5 overs) , Moeen Ali 0/ 60 ( 9.2 overs), Adil Rashid 0/ 47 ( 7 overs0, Liam Livingstone 0/ 24 ( 3 overs)
Match: World Cup 2023, 1st Match
Venue: Ahmedabad | Date: October 05, 2023
