New Zealand defeated England in the first match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 by 9 wickets. England and New Zealand met for the 1st game of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 at the Motera Stadium, Ahmedabad. England won the toss and chose to bat first and the team collectively scored 282 runs after a loss of nine wickets.
Joe Root scored 77 off 86 deliveries and the team’s captain Jos Buttler, and Jonny Bairstow scored 43 and 33 runs each off 42 and 35 deliveries respectively. Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra both scored centuries in the first match of the World Cup for New Zealand and led the team towards victory. Conway and Ravindra scored 152 and 123 runs off 121 and 96 deliveries respectively.
New Zealand and England previously met in the final match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 wherein England were awarded as the winners of the tournament due to more number of boundaries they had scored in the game.
Sam Curran shares England’s strategies ahead of first match of ICC Cricket World Cup 2023
Rachin Ravindra on New Zealand beating England in the first match of the World Cup
“Great to have a great day. Boys bowled and fielded well to restrict them to 280. Luckily I had Devon out there to show me how to do it. (I am) Very very close with Devon. Special to finish it off with him. 4-5 years ago, we all knew Devon would become the player he is. Above all he’s a great guy. It was yesterday (because of) the thing (niggle) with Lockie (when did he know he’ll bat at three?). Good to get the opportunity. We’ll see what happens. I’m actually quite a good sleeper. There was some swing, but the surface was really good to bat on”, said Rachin Ravindra in the post-match ceremony.
A new record was set by England during the first match of the World Cup. Till now 4,658 ODI matches have been played in the history of the game but it was just the first time when the whole team scored the runs in double digits.
