In a spectacular showdown at the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 opener, New Zealand exacted sweet revenge for their heartbreaking loss in the 2019 World Cup final against England with a clinical 9-wicket victory. The Kiwis, led by stand-in captain Tom Latham in the absence of Kane Williamson, showed their mettle as they chased down England’s target of 283 with a stunning 13.4 overs to spare at the grandiose cricket stadium in Ahmedabad.
England, who missed the services of the talismanic Ben Stokes due to a hip injury, were put in to bat after New Zealand won the toss. They could only manage a total of 282-9 in their 50 overs, a score that was deemed inadequate considering the firepower of the Kiwi batting line-up.
The turning point of the match came when the left-handed duo of Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra took the center stage. They forged an unbroken partnership of 273 runs for the second wicket, completely dismantling England’s hopes. Conway, in particular, was in exceptional form, scoring a scintillating 152 off just 83 balls, adorned with 13 boundaries and two towering sixes. This innings not only helped secure victory but also took him past the 1,000-run mark in ODI cricket in just 23 matches. Ravindra was equally impressive, notching up his maiden ODI century off 82 deliveries, featuring nine fours and four sixes.
New Zealand’s bowlers, led by Matt Henry, did a commendable job in restricting England to a below-par total. Henry claimed three crucial wickets, while spinners Mitchell Santner and Glenn Phillips chipped in with two each. England’s early promise, with Dawid Malan and Jonny Bairstow providing a brisk start, faded away as the Kiwi bowlers exerted control.
Despite Joe Root’s gritty innings of 77, England’s innings faltered, with Phillips dismissing the English captain. Adil Rashid and Mark Wood managed to ensure their team completed the full quota of 50 overs, but their unbeaten stand of 30 was never going to be enough to defend against the might of the New Zealand batting lineup.
For fans, this victory served as a poignant reminder of the 2019 World Cup final, where England clinched the title in a thrilling contest based on boundary count back. This time around, the Black Caps left no room for doubt, showcasing their prowess and determination to start their World Cup campaign on a high note.
As Rachin Ravindra aptly put it after the match, “Sometimes it’s unbelievable at times, but great to have a great day out.” New Zealand’s clinical performance sent a strong message to the cricketing world, and it will be intriguing to see how they fare in the rest of the tournament. The ICC ODI World Cup 2023 is off to an exhilarating start, promising more thrilling encounters and unforgettable moments for cricket enthusiasts worldwide.
