On a sunny Ahmedabad afternoon, in the very first match of the Cricket World Cup 2023, New Zealand won the toss against England and chose to bowl first.

The matchup between New Zealand and England goes way back to four years, as these are the same two teams that took on each other in the 2019 World Cup final.

Key players from both sides miss out

To the dismay of fans in Ahmedabad, New Zealand’s Kane Williamson, who also plays for Gujarat in IPL, did not come out for the toss. In place of him was Tom Latham, the stand-in captain, who will lead the team till Williamson is match-fit.

On the other hand, Ben Stokes of England, who came out of retirement to play this World Cup, is also ruled out of the match with a hip niggle, announced the England captain Jos Buttler earlier in the day.

Out of England’s World Cup squad, Gus Atkinson, Reece Topley,  David Willey and Ben Stokes miss out.

From the New Zealand’s World Cup squad, Ish Sodhi, Kane Williamson, Tim Southee, and Lockie Ferguson miss out.

Playing XI for England vs New Zealand in the World Cup opener

England: Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler(w/c), Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood

New Zealand: Devon Conway, Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham(w/c), Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner, James Neesham, Matt Henry, Trent Boult

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