The stage was set for a thrilling opening game of the ICC World Cup 2023. As New Zealand was about to face England, flashing memories of the 2019 World Cup must’ve crossed their minds. The game was played at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad as New Zealand won the toss and asked the defending champions to bat first.
Jonny Bairstow and David Malan took the crease and Trent Boult came to bowl the first over of this grand event. England couldn’t have asked for a better start as Bairstow sent the very second ball of the game in the crowd for a huge six. The first over went for 12 runs. Bairstow continued to display his good game but soon Matt Henry broke the partnership and sent David Malan back to the pavilion on just 14. Joe Root joined Bairstow in the middle and they continued to dominate the bowlers with some good cricketing shots. Bairstow then got trapped as Daryl Mitchell took an easy catch on Santner’s delivery.
Root on the other hand showed a great testament to his batting by playing good shots across the park. He reached his fifty but got cleaned up by Glenn Phillips while trying for a reverse sweep. He scored 77 runs in just 86 balls with the help of 4 boundaries and a six. England made a unique record yesterday as it became the first team where all 11 batters scored in double-digits for the first time in the history of ODI cricket. Despite a single fifty from England’s side, the defending champions still managed to score 282 for the loss of 9 wickets in 50 overs.
The target for New Zealand was 283, and England must’ve thought that the game was on. It seemed that England was in control with their good cricket as Sam Curran sent Will Young back to the pavilion on a Golden Duck. But the Englishmen were not ready for the Conway Ravindra storm. The way Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra batted for the next 34 overs was nothing short of a Massacre.
New Zealand chased down the target in just 36.2 overs and 9 wickets left as both Conway and Rachin remained unbeaten on 152 and 123 respectively. Batting first, England made a unique record but batting second, New Zealand stole the show and match. The records that broke during this second inning were just incredible, these include:
1. Highest ODI Partnership by a Visiting Pair in India – 273* (Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway)
2. Highest Score in a Successful Men’s World Cup Run Chase – Devon Conway 152*(121)
3. Fastest New Zealand Batter to Score 1,000 ODI Runs – Devon Conway (22 Innings)
4. Highest Second-Wicket ODI Stand for New Zealand – 273* (Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway)
Also Recommended: ENG vs NZ, ICC Cricket World Cup 2023/24, 1st Match at Ahmedabad, October 05, 2023 – Full Scorecard
The way this ICC World Cup 2023 has started, we can assure you that there are more such incredible games coming our way.
