England will face New Zealand in the opening match of ICC Men’s World Cup 2023, at Ahmedabad on October 5. Here is the ENG vs NZ Dream11 fantasy preview, including tips and predictions for CWC Match 1.

England v New Zealand match preview

England hosted New Zealand for a four-match ODI series in September, where they lost the first match but won three on the trot to clinch the series. This year, England have lost series in South Africa but won in Bangladesh.

New Zealand have played more than England of late (36 ODIs to England’s 22 since the start of 2022), but in 2023, they have lost series in both India and Pakistan (and, of course, in England).

Kane Williamson made a fifty in the warm-up match against Pakistan, but his knee will keep him out of at least the England match. New Zealand will also be without Tim Southee. All that perhaps tilts the balance in England’s favour.

ENG vs NZ fantasy tips

Pick two wicketkeepers: Get both Jos Buttler and Devon Conway.

Look for the all-rounders: Moeen Ali and Mitchell Santner are obvious picks among all-rounders, but among the bowlers, get Chris Woakes for those extra batting points.

The obvious picks: Adil Rashid and Trent Boult should feature in every side.

England vs New Zealand predicted XIs

England: Jos Buttler (c & wk), Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood, Reece Topley.

New Zealand: Tom Latham (c & wk), Devon Conway, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult.

ENG vs NZ Dream11 team

Wicketkeepers: Jos Buttler, Devon Conway. Batters: Ben Stokes, Dawid Malan, Daryl Mitchell. All-rounders: Mitchell Santner, Moeen Ali. Bowlers: Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Adil Rashid, Trent Boult.

Captaincy options: Conway averages 49.88 this year and Malan 73.87. As openers, they will get to face more balls than the others.

Potential swaps: All eleven are likely to play, though Stokes has an injury scare. If he is ruled out, get Will Young or Liam Livingstone. Consider Ish Sodhi as one a replacement for the bowlers.