In a replay of the 2019 Cricket World Cup Final, the defending champions, England, began the defence of their One Day International title against New Zealand at the cavernous Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad in India.
The Kiwis won the toss in the first match of the 2023 Cricket World Cup and sent England into bat. The world champions could only muster a pedestrian 282 for 9 in 50 overs.
New Zealand were without the injured Tim Southee and captain Kane Williamson, while England were lacking the services of Ben Stokes, who is still nursing a hip injury.
Joe Root top scored in the England innings with 77 off 86 balls.
But it was the performance of the New Zealand bowlers that stifled the England batters. Matt Henry took 3 wickets for 48 runs.
He was ably supported by the spin of Glenn Phillips, whose brief cameo contributed two scalps for 17 runs, and Mitchell Santner, who chipped in with 2 wickets for 37 runs.
New Zealand need a very attainable 283 for an opening win in the World Cup.
