The match 1 of ICC ODI World Cup 2023 between England (ENG) and New Zealand (NZ) at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium on Thursday, 5 October promises to be an exciting contest. Both the teams have a star-studded squad and are major contenders to win the ICC ODI World Cup 2023. They will be keen to kick off the tournament on a winning note.
Both the teams, England and New Zealand have a fierce rivalry in the format. They have played 95 ODI matches, with England winning 45 games and New Zealand winning 44 games so far in the head to head encounters. In this article, we will take a look at the key player battles to watch out for in the match 1 of the England vs New Zealand ICC ODI World Cup 2023.
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Here are three player battles to watch out for during ENG vs NZ match:
1) Joe Root vs Trent Boult
In the upcoming ODI showdown, all eyes will be on Joe Root, who boasts an impressive track record against New Zealand. Root’s ODI journey against the Kiwis features a remarkable 971 runs in 25 matches, maintaining an average of 46.23, including three centuries and five half-centuries. His performance will be pivotal for England’s fortunes in their opening match. However, Root faces a stern challenge in the form of Trent Boult. Boult has managed to dismiss Root five times in ODI cricket, holding an average of 18 and a formidable strike rate of 86.5 against the English maestro.
2) Jos Buttler vs Tim Southee
Get ready for a thrilling battle between Jos Buttler and Tim Southee in the upcoming ODI encounter. Southee has a history of success against Buttler in the ODI format, although he has also conceded runs to the England skipper. In their 11 face-offs, Buttler has accumulated 98 runs against Southee, boasting an impressive strike rate of 134.2. However, Southee has managed to dismiss Buttler on four occasions. The outcome of this epic duel will be closely watched, as fans eagerly anticipate the winner.
3) Tom Latham vs Moeen Ali
As rivals in ODI cricket, Moeen Ali and Tom Latham have crossed paths in seven matches. The England spinner has emerged victorious in their contests on three occasions. Tom Latham has faced Moeen Ali in ODI cricket, amassing 54 runs at a steady strike rate of 79.4. However, Latham’s form this year has been less than stellar, and he may face a formidable test against Moeen in the upcoming match. The battle of spin promises to be a highlight of the game, adding an intriguing dimension to the encounter.