Last Updated on 1 year by Charbel Coorey

ENG vs NZ Dream11 Prediction Possible 11 Pitch Report – World Cup 2023 Match 1 | ENG vs NZ Dream11 Prediction Today | Ahmedabad Pitch Report

Here we go. Cricket’s biggest carnival is all set to get underway, with the finalists of the 2019 World Cup to lock horns in the first game. England and New Zealand will face each other in the world’s largest ground, Narendra Modi Stadium, in Ahmedabad on Thursday (October 5), in what promises to be a blockbuster clash.

England are one of the tournament’s favourites, with plenty of quality players in their ranks. From top to bottom, they have an explosive batting lineup that can hit the big shots straightaway. Their bowling will also be bolstered by including Mark Wood and young sensation Gus Atkinson. Also, the likes of Chris Woakes and Sam Curran also have vast experience playing on Indian soil.

Meanwhile, New Zealand will also hope to continue their good work in ICC tournaments. While Kane Williamson will miss the opening game, the Kiwis still have a solid batting unit, with most being quality players of spin. The return of Trent Boult boosts the bowling lineup significantly, but the Black Caps would be concerned with the fitness of Tim Southee, who dislocated his thumb last month.

One thing is guaranteed – entertainment. Be prepared for some exhilarating action for a month and a half, and maybe some heartbreaks as well. A good start will be key for both these contenders.

World Cup 2023 Match 1: ENG vs NZ Possible Playing XIs

England will have to make some tough calls given the quality of their squad. Dawid Malan will open the innings. However, Ben Stokes reportedly could miss this match.

Liam Livingstone has been terrific in ODIs this year. He has 186 runs at an average of 62 and a strike rate of 110.05 in four ODI innings in 2023. Livingstone’s spin bowling will also be handy throughout this World Cup.

England: 1. Jonny Bairstow, 2. Dawid Malan, 3. Joe Root, 4. Ben Stokes/Harry Brook, 5. Jos Buttler (c & wk), 6. Liam Livingstone, 7. Moeen Ali, 8. Chris Woakes, 9. Adil Rashid, 10. Mark Wood, 11. Gus Atkinson/Reece Topley.

Kane Williamson will miss the first game. Tom Latham will lead in his absence. Tim Southee is also unavailable due to his thumb injury.

New Zealand: 1. Devon Conway, 2. Will Young, 3. Mark Chapman, 4. Daryl Mitchell, 5. Tom Latham (c & wk), 6. Glenn Phillips, 7. Jimmy Neesham, 8. Mitchell Santner, 9. Matt Henry, 10. Trent Boult, 11. Lockie Ferguson.

ENG vs NZ World Cup 2023 Dream11 Prediction – Fantasy Tips

England:

• Jonny Bairstow has 546 runs at an average of 54.60 and a strike rate of 110.08 in 11 ODI innings against New Zealand. He has amassed a fifty and three centuries against them.
• Joe Root has 971 runs at an average of 46.23 and a strike rate of 88.83 in 25 ODI innings against New Zealand. He has hit three fifties and five centuries against them. Despite poor recent form, Root is a fine player of spin and will have to keep the innings stable.
• Ben Stokes recently smashed a memorable 182 against New Zealand. Overall against the Black Caps, Stokes has smashed 661 runs at an average of 55.08 and strike rate of 97.92.
• Jos Buttler is among the best white-ball batters in world cricket. He has 738 runs at an average of 41 and a strike rate of 127.24 in 21 ODI innings against New Zealand. The English skipper has hit four half-centuries and a century against them.
• Adil Rashid has 18 wickets at an average of 41.22 in 14 ODI innings against New Zealand. He has experience bowling in Indian conditions and will have the onus of leading the spin department.
• Mark Wood has all the ingredients to be successful in Ahmedabad. He has pace and generates ample bounce in the middle overs. Wood will act as an enforcer for England in this World Cup.

New Zealand:

• Devon Conway has 141 runs at an average of 47 and a strike rate of 80.57 in four ODI innings against England. The southpaw has also amassed a century against them. Conway will have to weave long innings, as he can play an all-round game against the slow bowlers.
• Daryl Mitchell is among the best Kiwi batters in this World Cup. He has 652 runs at an average of 43.46 and a strike rate of 92.61 in 16 ODI innings this year. This includes a half-century and three centuries.
• Tom Latham is among the finest players of spin in the ODI format. He has 321 runs at an average of 32.10 and a strike rate of 83.59 in 10 ODI innings against England. This includes three fifties.
• Mitchell Santner can stifle the batters with his immaculate lines and lengths. He will be a giant in this World Cup and will look to make a significant impact in the tournament. Santner can also score a few runs consistently.
• Santner has good numbers against Ben Stokes (67 balls, 62 runs, two dismissals) and a decent matchup against Joe Root (142 balls, 127 runs, three dismissals).
• Trent Boult has 27 wickets at an average of 26.85 and a strike rate of 28.70 in 14 ODI innings against England. He is known for his threatening bowling in the powerplay, as he can move the new ball at will.
• Boult has dismissed Jonny Bairstow four times in 112 balls in ODIs (81 runs). He also has a good record against Joe Root (104 balls, 90 runs, five dismissals).

Other Stats and Facts

• Head-to-head in the ODIs: Played 95, England 45, New Zealand 44, Tied 2, NR 4.
• Jos Buttler has struggled in ODIs in India. In seven innings, he has scored just 83 runs off 94 balls at an average of 11.85.
• Tom Latham has excellent numbers in ODIs in India: 11 inns, 475 runs, avg. 52.77, SR 85.89.
• Jonny Bairstow vs left-arm pacers in ODIs since 2021: 22 runs, 32 balls & three dismissals.
• Trent Boult needs three more scalps to complete 200 ODI wickets.

Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, Pitch Report and Weather

A good batting track with some extra bounce will be on offer in the maiden game of the World Cup 2023 in Ahmedabad. The pacers can have a major say in the bowling department. A total of around 280 can be a fighting one.

The temperature will rise to 33°C during the match hours with clear skies.

ENG vs NZ World Cup 2023 Dream11 Picks

Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article, as well as your own instincts, to create your teams.

ENG vs NZ Dream11 Prediction – Ideal team combination: 3-3-2-3

Option 1:

Option 2:

World Cup 2023 Match 1: ENG vs NZ Match Prediction – Who will win?

Both teams have a quality squad and are expected to put some quality cricket in the tournament opener. However, England are slightly stronger and might start the tournament on a winning note.