Mumbai: New Zealand defeated defending champions England by nine wickets in ODI World Cup 2023 opener. New Zealand chased down a 283-run target in 36.2 overs. Rachin Ravindra became the fastest New Zealand cricketer to smash a hundred in men’s ODI World Cup (82 deliveries).
Rachin and Devon Conway recorded the highest-ever partnership by a New Zealand pair in World Cup history (273* runs).
As the 23-year-old left-hander stayed undefeated on 123, Rachin Ravindra, who had just become the youngest New Zealand hitter to achieve a World Cup hundred, scored the winning runs. Conway, who is accustomed to playing in Indian conditions, stayed undefeated at 152 as the two batters combined for a 273-run second-wicket partnership.
The 273-run unbroken partnership between Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway was also the greatest in Cricket World Cup history. Additionally, it ranked fourth overall in the contest.
After the defeat, Jos Buttler said that the team’s confidence will not be shaken throughout the lengthy campaign.
“Disappointing day, outplayed by New Zealand, tough to take that defeat. One loss, still a long tournament. A lot of guys in our team have played a lot of cricket. We have beaten teams this way before and we have been beaten like this before as well,” Buttler said.
The entire New Zealand team’s locker room gathered on the field to celebrate the two batters, who were beaming after sealing a decisive victory over white-ball juggernauts England.
The two hitters never let the England bowlers calm down, sharing 30 boundaries and 8 sixes. Mark Wood, one of the World Cup’s fastest pacers, was destroyed by the opposition after giving up 55 runs in 5 overs.
Sam Curran, who picked up Young’s wicket and conceded 47 runs in six overs, was the only bowler to have any success with the bat.
Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali, two of England’s spinners, were both unproductive in Ahmedabad as Conway, a fantastic spinner, and Rachin experimented with their lines and lengths.
Joe Root scored 77 earlier in the day, but England’s batters surprisingly chose not to play the aggressive style that has been so successful for them in recent years.
Against a bowling attack without Lockie Ferguson or Southee and a Trent Boult who was not at his best, Jonny Bairstow and Dawid Malan took their time.
As the other batters, including skipper Jos Buttler, lost their wickets, only Joe Root appeared to be in rhythm. England pushed and puffed to 282, which ultimately wasn’t enough, thanks to helpful contributions from the lower order.
England will next face the Netherlands on October 9 in Hyderabad while England will face a tricky test against Bangladesh on October 10 in Dharamsala.
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