ENG vs NZ Review: Kiwis kick off their World Cup campaign in style
In a one-sided match that set the stage for the ODI World Cup 2023, England faced off against New Zealand at the iconic Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium in Ahmedabad. The fans were expecting a thriller of a match and it certainly did not deliver.
New Zealand won the toss and elected to field, a decision that paid off as they struck early with the wicket of David Malan in the eighth over. England’s Jonny Bairstow showed promise but was soon dismissed by Mitchell Santner, leaving Joe Root to anchor the innings.
Root fought bravely at one end, but England lost wickets at regular intervals, including Harry Brook and Moeen Ali. Captain Jos Buttler joined Root, and together they built a promising partnership, hinting at a score well beyond 300. However, New Zealand’s captain, Tom Latham, reintroduced Matt Henry into the attack, who promptly dismissed Buttler, disrupting England’s momentum.
The English innings ended at 282 runs in their allotted 50 overs. Root was the standout performer with 77 runs to his name. Henry and Santner were the best performers with the ball, taking three and two wickets, respectively.
In response, New Zealand’s chase got off to a shaky start, losing opener Will Young early. But then came Rachin Ravindra, partnering with Devon Conway, and the duo unleashed a batting masterclass. They decimated the English bowling attack, leading New Zealand to a resounding nine-wicket victory. Conway’s brilliant knock of 152 not out and Ravindra’s explosive 123 ensured New Zealand’s emphatic win.
Top Performers of the Match
Devon Conway (152 of 121 balls): Conway displayed a remarkable performance, scoring 152 runs off 121 balls. The pitch seemed to favour the batters in the second inning, and Conway capitalized on this opportunity by relentlessly attacking the English bowlers. His aggressive onslaught left the English team helpless and demoralized, as he smashed an impressive 19 fours and three sixes in his innings.
Matt Henry (3/48, 10 overs): The Kiwi bowler emerged as the standout performer, taking three wickets for 48 runs in his 10 overs. Despite the English captain Jos Buttler and Joe Root’s aggressive batting, Henry managed to break their partnership. He showcased exceptional skill and determination on a pitch that offered little assistance to the bowlers, preventing the English team from gaining momentum.
What next?
Looking ahead, New Zealand will face the Netherlands on October 9. While the English team will take on Bangladesh on October 10.
