World Cup 2023 Kicks Off: New Zealand Opt to Bowl Against England in Opener

Ahmadabad: New Zealand stand-in captain Tom Latham won the toss and opted to bowl against England in the opening game of the Cricket World Cup on Thursday at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Their last meeting in the competition separated the two on the basis of the boundary count in the Super Over at Lord’s.

New Zealand are without their regular captain Kane Williamson. Tim Southee is still recovering from his thumb surgery, whole leg-spinner Ish Sodhi also misses out. Lockie Ferguson is not playing as a precaution with back stiffness.

Meanwhile, for England, their star all-rounder Ben Stokes is not in the playing XI. Stokes had a hip niggle. He was out there bouncing rugby on a practice pitch and doing some fitness drills. Basically walking, kicking up his legs and England would not want to take any risk if he is not fully fit.