The long-awaited ODI World Cup is finally here as it is all set to commence from October (5) in India. The exciting tournament will be played for one and a half months as there are ten teams competing in the tournament. In the opening match of the tournament, England will be clashing with New Zealand on Thursday at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. England are entering the tournament as the defending champions as they lifted the ODI World Cup title in 2019. However, New Zealand were runner-up as England had beaten New Zealand in the World Cup 2019 final where match had gone to super over where England registered victory. Looking at England’s team, they will be led by Jos Buttler where there will be the presence of experienced Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root and Moeen Ali. 

During the Warm-Up matches, England could only play one match against Bangladesh which they won by (4) wickets. England’s Warm-Up game against India was washed out due to rain. On the other hand, New Zealand will be led by Tom Latham as regular skipper Kane Williamson will not be playing in the first match. New Zealand will have the service of strong players like Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, Will Young and Mark Chapman. Their bowling too has the brilliant players in the form of Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Matt Henry. New Zealand registered their victories in both of their Warm-Up games against Pakistan and South Africa respectively. 

England Probable XI: Dawid Malan, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Gus Atkinson, Jos Buttler (c & wk), Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood/David Willey, Reece Topley

New Zealand Probable XI: Devon Conway, Will Young, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (c & wk), Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Jimmy Neesham, Trent Boult