World Cup 2023, Match 1 | New Zealand Predicted Playing XI vs England

image-lnc334g7Tom Latham will lead New Zealand against England in absence of Kane Williamson (Source: AP Photos)

The wait is finally over as New Zealand squares off against England in the opener of the 2023 World Cup on October 5 i.e. Thursday. The finalists of the previous editions World Cup will be locking horns at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad for the bonanza to kickoff. The match is slated to begin at 2:00 PM IST. 

The massive update surfacing is that England may be without Ben Stokes in the tournament opener. The all-rounder missed the warm-up game against India as he was unnamed in the 13-man squad. The England side won the warm-up game against Bangladesh while the match against India ended up as spoilsport due to intervention of rain. They had come off a Ireland series where only Joe Root was available (1st ODI only) amongst the World Cup squad.

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On the flip side, The Kiwis will be without their regular skipper Kane Williamson who is recuperating from ACL injury withstood during the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL). Also, ace bowler, Tim Southee is unavailable for selection due to rehabilitation from thumb fracture. 

The Black Caps faced off England in four T20Is and as many ODI ahead in the lead up the mega-event. The shorter format was a 2-2 draw while the Three Lions edged past 3-1 in the fifty over format.  It was followed by a Bangladesh tour for a three-match ODI under Lockie Ferguson's captaincy as most of the experienced blokes were rested and some were unavailable. They played two warm-up matches- against Pakistan and South Africa. The Black Caps defeated the asian nation while rain had the last laugh in the fight against the Proteas.

Having said, let us have a quick look at the predicted playing XI of New Zealand against England in the curtain raiser.


Openers: Devon Conway and Will Young

With no Martin Guptill and Finn Allen in the New Zealand squad, Will Young is likely to open the batting with Devon Conway. Young was brilliant with the Willow in the recent ODI series played in Bangladesh. The right-hander has the temperament to tackle spin and has the right technique to earn runs in slow wickets.

Young's partner, Conway is a mainstay at the top of the order for the Black Caps. Although not in his finest touch, the South Africa-bred cricketer has cemented in his spot with marvellous performance in his career.


Middle-Order: Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips and Mark Chapman

In the absence of Kane Williamson, Mark Chapman is likely to take the vacant spot for the first match against England. The Kiwis struggled against England in recent times in the bilateral ODIs and hence could play a proper batter instead of all-rounder (Jimmy Neesham). The left-handed batter has time and again proved his capabilities to bat in pressure situations and cultivate runs.

Meanwhile, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips are one of the key components in this batting department and will retain their spot. Latham will lead the side until Williamson comes back.


All-rounder: Rachin Ravindra

The young gun could be the lone proper all-rounder for the side. Yes, Daryl Mitchell can bowl but has lacked lustre in recent times and generally plays as a battery more often than not.

Ravindra was sensational with a knock of 97 runs in the warm-up fixture against Pakistan. He also proved his mettle with the Willow in hand in the recent Bangladesh series, battling in a similar condition as that of Motera. And when it comes to the bowling department, there should be no doubt on Ravindra's skillset with left-arm orthodox spin. He is going to be a key asset for New Zealand in this mega-event.


Bowlers: Ish Sodhi, Matt Henry, Trent Boult and Lockie Ferguson

New Zealand bowling attack is likely to be spearheaded by Trent Boult who had his exhibition in the recent series' against England, Bangladesh and during the warm-up games. Boult, a freelancer now showcased that he still has the sharpness with the new ball and can be a threat to any top-order batter.

The likes of Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry will be succouring the left-arm quick with the ball in hand. There's no room for Tim Southee as he's still recuperating from a thumb-fracture surgery. Ish Sodhi is going to be the lead spinner for the Kiwis against England and will play a pivotal role in holding the middle overs phase.


New Zealand Predicted Playing XI vs England

Devon Conway (wk), Will Young, Tom Latham ©, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Rachin Ravindra, Ish Sodhi, Matt Henry,Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson