Key occasions
1. Head-to-head information is an untapped goldmine of cricket protection.
2. The primary few overs of the 2023 World Cup might be very fascinating.
Trent Boult’s ODI Bowling Common v England’s possible high three:
v Jonny Bairstow – 20.25 (4 wickets)
v Dawid Malan – 11.00 (one wicket)
v Joe Root – 18.00 (5 wickets)#CWC2023— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) October 5, 2023
“The 2 Dad’s Military groups kick off the competitors, however am I the one one not overly constructive about England’s possibilities on this event?” wonders Kevin Wilson. “Sure, they’ve been the perfect white-ball aspect on the planet (most likely) for the previous few years, however I wonder if they’re previous their peak, and it might all unravel on this event. India, Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan and South Africa are all going to be the combo, and within the subcontinent, even the opposite three Asian sides shall be extra of a problem.”
That is the thrilling factor – no one actually is aware of. There’s a good probability that a minimum of one of many three older groups (England, New Zealand, Australia) will discover it a event too far. There’s additionally an opportunity that, like Australia’s geriatricos in 2007, England may have an excessive amount of energy expertise of successful for the remainder.
On right now of all days, you’ll be able to by no means have sufficient World Cup quizzes. Right here’s one other from our previous good friend Steven Pye.
Is rain going to be a factor? Very probably. India are this yr’s hosts, and although October is in direction of the tail-end of their wet season, in among the host cities it’s a way away from being dry.
World Cup quiz!
So, 114 gents have appeared for England at an ODI World Cup. How many can you name?
The groups in full
England Bairstow, Malan, Root, Brook, Buttler (c/wk), Livingstone, Ali, Curran, Woakes, Rashid, Wooden.
New Zealand Younger, Conway, Ravindra, Mitchell, Latham (c/wk), Phillips, Chapman, Neesham, Santner, Ravindra, Henry, Boult.
Staff information: Stokes, Williamson, Ferguson out injured
As anticipated, Harry Brook replaces the injured Ben Stokes, and Sam Curran is most well-liked to Reece Topley as third seamer. The pacy Lockie Ferguson additionally misses out via harm for New Zealand; that’s a blow as a result of they don’t have any like-for-like substitute of their squad. As a substitute they’ve beefed up their batting by together with Mark Chapman. It appears like Rachin Ravindra will bat at No3, holding the seat heat for Kane Williamson.
New Zealand win the toss and bowl
The stand-in captain Tom Latham has put England in, which implies an early trial by Trent Boult for the highest order. Dew can also be an element, in order that appears like an honest toss to win. Jos Buttler stated England would have bowled however that he “can’t wait to get going”.
A team-by-team information to the World Cup
Look out for Bas de Leede, who produced essentially the most astonishing efficiency towards Scotland to safe qualification for the Netherlands.
“Do you reckon we’ll smash runscoring information at this World Cup?” writes Abhinav. “I really feel like the sport has modified dramatically because the final one – England being one of many drivers of change.”
A rating of 500 is certainly on the desk, though I’m unsure it’ll occur this time. I don’t suppose batting has modified that a lot since 2019, besides perhaps on the loss of life, however there ought to be extra flat and/or quick pitches than in England in 2019. There have been no scores of 400 4 years in the past; I’d be shocked if that’s the case right here.
This video is beautifully achieved, as at all times, however in reality England – Dawid Malan and David Willey aside – haven’t achieved a lot since 2019. That’s not a criticism; it was a largely unavoidable consequence of Covid, scheduling and Bazball.
Even so, the distinction in preparation is fascinating. In 2019, England, with no success to fall again on, have been determined to enter the event as world No1. This time, partly out of necessity, there’s a relaxed, it’ll-be-alright-on-the-night perspective. It labored in Australia final yr, and there wasn’t actually an alternate.
The dignity and humour with which New Zealand accepted defeat (sic) in 2019 turns into extra spectacular with each passing soccer match yr.
Who do you fancy? Regardless of their wretched current report in ICC knockout matches, I wrestle to see past India. I believe they’ll construct up sufficient momentum within the group stage to cut back the psychological impression of that poor report.
Early staff information
England are more likely to be with out Ben Stokes, who has a peedie hip downside, so Harry Brook will come into the aspect. No official phrase but on the seamers, although it’s possible that both Sam Curran or Reece Topley will begin alongside Chris Woakes and Mark Wooden.
New Zealand are lacking an equally necessary participant, their captain Kane Williamson, who’s managing the intense knee harm he suffered on the IPL. Their high order appears lightish in his absence however they’ve a cracking, diverse bowling assault, led by the majestic Trent Boult.
The primary e mail of the 2023 World Cup!
“Morning Rob, what a day,” writes Man Hornsby. “The unusual scenario of a match I’m actually enthusiastic about but in addition everyone knows can’t probably match as much as its predecessor. Nevertheless it ought to be a cracker. The 2 groups of (largely) Expendables, again for one final mission. Topley or Wooden, Mo or Curran? Black Caps minus Williamson and Southee and with some newer hit-or-bust batters. Oddly a loss most likely gained’t harm both staff, however a drubbing would possibly. Convey on the ache!”
I reckon a loss will harm both staff, even at this stage – it appears a really tight squeeze for the semi-final.
Learn Simon Burnton’s event preview
Preamble
So the story begins. Ten groups, 45 days, 48 matches and never a single boundary countback: the 2023 World Cup is upon us. The hosts are often concerned on opening evening, however for the BCCI’s chief schedulers, a repeat of the best ever ODI closing* proved irresistible.
The event begins with England v New Zealand in Ahmedabad – simply because it did, a little bit weirdly, the final time the hosts weren’t concerned within the first recreation. That was in 1996, when England have been residing on a distinct white-ball planet (or, quite, commuting from Planet Pink Ball). This yr they begin as holders of each white-ball trophies and second favourites behind the hosts India.
The format – everyone performs everyone, with the highest 4 going via to the semi-finals – makes this World Cup a marathon, not a dash. Nevertheless it’s nonetheless necessary to get out of the blocks apace. England know from the (mercifully transitory) horrors of 2019 that an early defeat could be a vital sliding door.
England and New Zealand have the oldest squads within the event, a barely droopy nostril forward of Australia. That comes with apparent advantages and potential weaknesses. Over the following six weeks, beginning right now, we’ll discover out the place they’re in relation to the highest of the hill.
England already sit proudly on the high desk of nice white-ball groups. In the event that they win this event, they’ll have a case for being the best of all of them.
The match begins at 9.30am BST, 2pm in Ahmedabad.
* Or ought to that finale, given the relative poverty of the primary 90 overs?