England vs New Zealand - Commentary

Right then, the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup is up and running with an absolute shocker of a game and it is just the tip of the iceberg. There is a lot, lot more cricketing action to come over the next 6-7 weeks and in the 2nd game of the tournament, it will be Pakistan taking on Netherlands in Hyderabad on Friday, the 6th of October. That clash will begin at 2 pm IST (8.30 am GMT) but our build-up, as usual, will begin a lot sooner. Do join us then, take care and goodbye!

New Zealand's skipper Tom Latham says that it was a fantastic performance. Adds that it was an unbelievable partnership between Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra and it was all setup by the bowlers. Credits the bowlers for restricting England to a below-par total. Mentions that they have had a pretty good build-up leading up to the event and they have experienced guys in the side as well. Feels that it is about adapting to the conditions as quickly as they can. Shares that Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra played proper cricketing shots which was pleasing to see. On Rachin Ravindra, he says that it was pretty special to watch and they are looking forward to getting around him later on.

England's captain, Jos Buttler says that it was a disappointing day and they were outplayed by New Zealand but it is just one loss of what is a long tournament. Mentions that a lot of guys in their squad have been on both sides of results like this and hopefully can bounce back right away. Adds that they were well below par and they should have got at least 330 given how the wicket played and New Zealand simply got off to a flying start. Says that they did give away a few wickets playing poor shots and weren't clinical enough with their shot-making. Also says that Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra did play some really good shots and the conditions did change as the ball skidded on better and they played a long way short of their best batting. On Joe Root, he says that he looked back to his old self, and no matter what format he plays, he is the best batter on their side but even for him, it is nice to get a few runs under their belt. Ends by saying that hopefully, Ben Stokes is back for the next game but it all depends on what the physios and trainers say.

The Presentation ceremony...

Rachin Ravindra is the Player of the Match for his sensational knock of 123 runs from 96 balls. He says that is unbelievable at times but it feels great to have a great day out. Mentions that the bowlers bowled well and he was lucky enough to have Devon Conway alongside. On Devon Conway, he says that they spent a lot of time together and they are very close mates. Adds that he is lucky enough to share this inning with Conway. Shares that the surface was similar to Hyderabad and therefore, it was not too tough to adjust.

Earlier in the game, the stand-in skipper for New Zealand, Tom Latham had no hesitation in opting to bowl first and it was well backed by a top spell from Matt Henry early on. Trent Boult however looked undercooked but the bowling changes worked wonders for the Kiwis. Jos Buttler and Joe Root put on a big stand but once the former got out, it all started to go downhill for them. Every batter that came in got into the double figures and gave it away with Root being the only one to play a big knock but even he got out playing a bit of a reckless shot. Boult did make amends later on and it was the spinners that were the stars with Mitchell Santner and surprisingly Glenn Phillips picking up a few big wickets. England needed a 30-run stand from numbers 10 and 11 to limp to 282 runs. Coming to the chase, it was completely one-sided and the Kiwis won the contest with almost 14 overs to spare.

Not the start England would have hoped for and it is more so due to the manner of defeat than the defeat itself that will be a big concern for them. Skipper Jos Buttler did mention prior to the opening game that there's no such thing as a favourites tag for them and maybe they lacked a bit of self-belief. Ben Stokes was certainly a big miss but when you look at the opposition's players who didn't play, England certainly had a stronger team. Chris Woakes was way off his game with the ball early on and the good work by Sam Curran in his first two overs was completely undone as there was no support from the other end. Arguably the world's fastest bowler, Mark Wood was treated to a real hammering too with Adil Rashid once again not being able to replicate the form that he displays outside India. In the end, they have a lot to work on and will look to bounce back quickly in their next game.

Chasing is an art and the pair of Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway have just handed a masterclass in the same. When England were restricted to 282 runs, it felt like it might be a tricky chase and when Will Young got out for a golden duck, New Zealand must have had a few nerves. But that is where a young guy like Ravindra can help you, absolutely no fear and he took on the English pacers from the word go. Conway too was on the move early on and given just a few months back he raked up runs for fun in the Indian T20 League, that would have given him the added confidence. The pair put on a mammoth unbeaten 273-run stand shattering the previous highest partnership for New Zealand in a World Cup by more than 100 runs. Conway finished with 152 as Ravindra too stayed unbeaten on 123 and even hit the winning runs.

AIR NEW ZEALAND HAS TAKEN OFF! What a sensational display from the Kiwis and they have made a super quick start to this mega event as they clinch the 2023 Cricket World Cup opener by 9 wickets. Well, well, well! That was unexpected as the reigning champions, England have been handed a thumping defeat by the runners-up from the last edition. For New Zealand, this is a statement win and to do it without the likes of Kane Williamson, Tim Southee and Lockie Ferguson shows that when it comes to the big stage, they just find a way to win a few big games. It will taste especially sweet given what happened in the 2019 final and that leaves England a lot to ponder upon.

Drinks break! Well then, this contest looks well over at this point and New Zealand will be very pleased in the place they are in at the moment. Both Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra have notched up quick tons and don't look like getting out at all. England have tried a few things but once their spirit was broken in the first 10 overs, they never recovered.