World Cup Match 1 - ENG vs NZ

The epicenter of world cricket is hosting the World Cup all alone for the first time in ODI history. The anticipation is even more palpable than 2019 since India start favorites in the tournament. Safe to say there is no team more robust at home in Tests and One Days at the moment. This edition will also see the last of current generation greats who are highly unlikely to be fit and roaring for the next World Cup.

All eyes set on the opener for now where the defending champions and the almost defending champions begin the journey of 48 games at Ahmedabad - the largest cricket stadium in the world. The inaugural could be hit by injury on both sides as Kane, Southee and Stokes could avoid risks this early in the competition but it is a major game in the context of round-robin format.

Head to Head

-Overall, both teams are tied at 44 wins each
-Kiwis lead 5-4 in World Cup games

Pitch and Conditions

Typically a tricky surface with help to seamers. 260 should be the par score here if there is any amount of grass left.

Probable XI

England: Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Adil Rashid, Topley/Moeen

New Zealand: Will Young, Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham, Glenn Phillips, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult, Matt Henry

Form Update (last 5 ODI innings)

Match Ups

-Phillips vs Livingstone: 11 runs off 21 balls, 2 wickets
-Root vs Boult: 90 runs for 5 wickets
-Buttler vs Sodhi: 41 runs for 2 wickets
-Bairstow vs Sodhi: 59 runs off 32 balls, 1 wicket
-Bairstow vs Ferguson: 11 runs for 2 wickets
-Daryl vs Adil: 46 runs off 20 balls, 0 wickets

Fantasy Suggestions

Core Team: Conway, Malan, Mitchell, aLivingstone, Boult and Young.
Trump Cards: Matt Henry, Sam Curran

Fantasy XI