In a stunning opening match of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, New Zealand delivered a masterclass performance by overpowering the defending champions, England, with a resounding nine-wicket victory.
They not only restricted the formidable English batting lineup to a score of 282/9 but also chased down the target with an astounding 82 balls to spare, courtesy of the remarkable partnership between Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra.
The first innings of the match witnessed a historic moment in ODI cricket as all 11 English batters reached double figures for the first time ever. However, it was Joe Root who stood out with a score beyond 50 in an otherwise underwhelming team effort.
What made New Zealand’s bowling display even more remarkable was the absence of key players, including Lockie Ferguson, Tim Southee, and captain Kane Williamson, due to injuries.
In the run chase, after the early dismissal of Will Young to a delivery down the leg side, Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra took control of the game, forming an unbeaten partnership worth a staggering 273 runs. This partnership not only sealed the victory but also etched its name in history as the highest New Zealand partnership in the tournament’s history.
Rachin Ravindra’s stellar performance was a standout moment in the match as he scored his first ODI century, setting a new record for the fastest century by a New Zealand player in a 50-over World Cup. His century came in just 82 balls, surpassing the previous record of 83 balls, which was set by Devon Conway a few overs earlier.
England’s seam bowlers bore the brunt of the onslaught, as runs flowed freely during the powerplay. However, New Zealand’s captain, Tom Latham, emphasized that the aggressive approach was more about capitalizing on opportunities rather than a deliberate shift to a boundary-hitting mindset by the New Zealand top order.
The spotlight shone brightly on the young talent, Rachin Ravindra, who excelled in his role as No. 3 in an ODI for the first time, earning well-deserved praise for his stylish performance.
READ MORE: Pakistan Set to Face Netherlands in ICC CWC23 Opener
