The ODI World Cup 2023 kicks starts on October 5 and is expected to bring excitement as New Zealand takes on England in the opening match, both teams having reached the finals in the previous edition.
New Zealand, consistently strong in World Cups, was the runner-up in the last edition and reached the final in 2015. Despite multiple semifinal appearances, the Blackcaps are yet to secure their first ODI World Cup trophy. Led by Kane Williamson, a respected cricketing figure, New Zealand enters the tournament as a formidable force. The clash with England, a rematch of the previous final, adds anticipation to the tournament’s start, setting the stage for intense and competitive cricket. Let us look at the ideal playing XI for the New Zealand squad in their opening game against England in World Cup 2023:
Top Order
The opening pair will be crucial for the New Zealand team ahead of the ODI World Cup 2023. The opening batter Devon Conway as well as Will Young will be fulfilling that opening duty for the Blackcaps. The left-hand batter is certainly one of the finest batters who have hailed from New Zealand in recent times. He along with Will Young will be crucial for the team. ‘The number three slot will be taken by Daryl Mitchell. Mitchell is known for his great temperament and has certainly established his place in the New Cricket team on the basis of his all-run ability. In the ODI career so far, the all-rounder has scored more than 1000 runs along with 13 wickets to his name.
Middle-order
At number four, it is likely that the skipper Tom Latham will be slotting himself in the batting lineup. The form of Latham as a batter and also as a keeper will be crucial for the New Zealand team going ahead in the tournament. Latham has also been in great form recently and has rich experience in playing in Indian conditions. The star left-hand batter has scored more than 3,500 runs so far in the One Day Internationals.
The number five position will be slotted in for Glenn Phillips who has certainly evolved himself in recent times. Being relatively young in the 50 overs format it will be crucial to see how he performs in the Indian conditions. The number six position will be taken in by the all-rounder Jimmy Neesham. Neesham has been a seasoned campaigner and is included in the team based on his all-round ability. Despite being successful in the T20 format it will be crucial to see how he gets going in the fifty overs format.
All-rounders and Bowlers
The number seven position will be taken by Mitch Santer. Another all-rounder in the squad who will be crucial on Indian soil. His ability to spin the ball and bowl tight overs will be an asset for the New Zealand team. Apart from tremendous bowling, Santer is also more than a handy batter and an elite fielder. The number eight position will be slotted in by Ish Sodhi who also will be in the squad as a leg spinner especially as they are playing against England in their first game.
The leg spinner can also be handy with bat in hand which he showed in the recently concluded Bangladesh series. The number nine, ten, and eleven positions will be taken by speedsters like Matt Henry, Trent Boult, and Lockie Ferguson respectively. On a pitch which will be offered in Ahmedabad these three pacers will be more than handy for the England team.