By Zainab Shafiq 
The commencement of the ODI World Cup 2023 marked a rollercoaster ride for the England cricket team. Their inaugural match saw them face off against New Zealand, led by the capable Tom Latham, at the illustrious Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on the 5th of October.
In an eventful turn of events, England found themselves at the crease after losing the toss. They scripted a remarkable chapter in the annals of ODI cricket by amassing a formidable total of 282 runs against their New Zealand counterparts.
This achievement etched their name in history, making them the very first team in the ODI format to have each of their batsmen score in double digits. This incredible feat unfolded in the backdrop of 4658 ODI matches, setting England apart in a league of their own.
Let’s look into each player’s contribution to this remarkable display of cricket.
- Jonny Bairstow: Bairstow set the tone with a brisk 33 off 35 balls, providing a solid foundation for the team with a strike rate of 94.29. His early aggression allowed England to gain momentum.
- Dawid Malan: Malan chipped in with a composed 14 off 24 deliveries, playing a steady hand in the middle overs before being dismissed by Matt Henry.
- Joe Root: England’s captain, Joe Root, played a crucial role with a well-crafted 77 off 86 balls, anchoring the innings and holding it together. His strike rate of 89.53 demonstrated his ability to rotate the strike effectively.
- Harry Brook: Brook played a blistering knock, scoring 25 off just 16 balls at a staggering strike rate of 156.25. His aggressive approach added valuable runs to the total.
- Moeen Ali: Moeen contributed 11 runs off 17 balls, holding the fort and ensuring England’s scoreboard kept ticking along.
- Jos Buttler (c & wk): The captain and wicketkeeper-batsman, Jos Buttler, led from the front with a commanding 43 off 42 balls, striking at 102.38. His innings provided stability in the middle overs.
- Liam Livingstone: Livingstone made a vital contribution, scoring 20 runs off 22 balls, ensuring that England maintained a competitive total.
- Sam Curran: Curran added 14 runs off 19 balls, showcasing his all-round skills before falling to a catch by Latham off Matt Henry’s bowling.
- Chris Woakes: Woakes contributed 11 runs off 12 balls, playing a handy cameo to bolster the lower order.
- Adil Rashid: Adil Rashid remained unbeaten with a valuable 15 runs off 13 balls, providing a late flourish to the innings.
- Mark Wood: Wood, not out with 13 runs off 14 balls, played a crucial role in pushing England’s total beyond the 280-run mark.
Also, see:
World Cup 2023: New Zealand give chills to Pakistan in their first warm-up match
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