ENG vs NZ, 1st ODI- Top Captain and Vice-captain Picks

image-lm9l1tllDawid Malan will be an important part for England in the match (Source: Twitter)

After a tie in the four-match T20I series, it is time to switch attention to the ODI series that likes ahead. England and New Zealand face-off one another in the first ODI to be staged at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, and slated to begin at 5:00 PM IST, 12:30 PM Local Time. The second ODI will take place at Southampton followed by the next two in London (Kennington Oval and Lords). 

England will be led by Jos Buttler and the team has a rich blend of youth and experience. Ben Stokes came out of retirement for the 2023 World Cup and he is a part of this series too. The likes of Jason Roy, Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran are all part of it. Also, Harry Brook as been called up lately as a batting cover for Jonny Bairstow who had a niggle in the last T20I.

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On the flip side, New Zealand will be captained by Tom Latham in the absence of Kane Williamson who is recovering from a ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. Kyle Jamieson who was a part of the T20I side against UAE and ENG will be featuring in the 50-overs format alongside  the returnee pacer, Trent Boult. Mark Chapman and Jimmy Neesham will miss the ODIs as they will be heading back to expect the birth of their child. Joining them in the flight back to home will be Ish Sodhi, who desired a break with family before a busy schedule.

The series serves as a preparatory contest ahead of the broader picture i.e. 2023 World Cup and teams will look to get their combinations right. Let us mind the business of building the best captain and vice-captain options for the 1st ODI between New Zealand and England.


ENG vs NZ, 1st ODI: Venue Analysis

A Stadium named after the wife of the Marquis of Bute is known for its balanced surface. The pacers and spinners tend to get adequate purchase from the strip while the batters get to do well if capitalised on the hard new ball. Generally, the pitch serves best for batting in the first innings.

ENG vs NZ, 1st ODI: Toss Factor

Toss is a definite factor for opting captain and vice-captain of a team. The conditions of Cardiff are usually balanced one and one needs to take players on merit. But the toss winning captain may chose to bat first going with the history of the surface and it is better to make bowlers as captain or vice-captain who will bowl in the second innings.

Scenario: If ENG wins the toss. 

England has a great batting depth and may opt to bowl first depending on the situation. In that case, one can include someone like Sam Curran as the captain. He is a great option with both bat and ball. The other options are Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips.

Scenario: If NZ wins the toss.

New Zealand may bat first if they win the toss. In that case, one can have some good strikers of the ball as the captain or vice-captain. Tim Seifert has been in good form and scoring runs. He could be a good option. Also, some bowling options from England serve good. 


ENG vs NZ, 1st ODI: Top Captain and Vice-captain choices

If ENG bats first

Sam Curran (ENG)

The young all-rounder is arriving on the back of a stellar season in the T20 Blast for Surrey and in the Men's Hundred for Oval Invincibles. Curran can bat and ball with equal capability and the best part of him is that the Zimbabwean-born can operate in all phases of the game. He is a good record when his side bats first and can play with no pressure.

Mitchell Santner (NZ)

The wily left-arm orthodox spinner can bat more than efficient. He was the player of the match in the 4th T20I between both sides and has been bowling really well. England contains a lot of attacking batters in the middle over such as Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Ben Stokes, etc, and Santner can be a great option against them.


If NZ bats first

Tim Seifert (NZ)

The wicketkeeper-batter is in exquisite form in recent times. Once compared with Brendon McCullum's style of batting, the right-handed batter showed glimpses of good knocks during the recently completed T20I series. He bats higher up the order and can be a great option for captain or vice-captain, provided New Zealand bats first.

Dawid Malan (ENG)

The left-handed batter has been in and out of the team in the past couple of year for England but it does not reduce his worth as a no. 3 batter. Malan is a great player of spin and pace and can handle tricky situations with a composed head. In run-chases, where the team may look to go on with a calculative approach, Malan could be a crucial option for captain or vice-captain.


ENG vs NZ: Big Risk, Big Return

Trent Boult

The left-arm quick is likely to make a return to the ODIs for New Zealand in the first ODI. Provided he plays, Boult can be a gun option to try your luck as a captain or vice-captain. He is a terrific operator with the new ball and conditions are likely to be tailor-made for him. The gamble may pay off if Boult gets to outsmart the opposition with the white cherry.