New Zealand have kickstarted the 2023 Cricket World Cup with a mammoth, one-sided victory over defending champions England at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad today (October 5).

Taking a step towards burying the ghosts of the 2019 World Cup final, New Zealand have handed England a rout in the opening game of the 2023 World Cup.

Winning the toss, New Zealand chose to field first and picked up regular wickets, keeping a clamp on England’s scoring. Joe Root, who had been out of form in ODI cricket, turned up at the big stage and top-scored with 77.

England finished with what seemed like a competitive total of 282-9 at the halfway stage but were annihilated by the left-handed duo of Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra.

Will Young was dismissed first ball, glancing a Sam Curran delivery straight into the hands of Jos Buttler behind the wicket. After that, there was no looking back as Conway and Ravindra plundered runs for fun, attacking any and every English bowler that came on to bowl.

Ravindra finished unbeaten on 123 off 96 while Conway registered his first 150-plus score in ODIs, remaining unbeaten on 152 off 121 deliveries.

New Zealand finished off the run chase in just 36.2 overs, giving their net run rate a significant boost early into the tournament.

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