The 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup starts on Thursday with England and New Zealand clashing in a rerun of their nail biting 2019 final. This is the opening match of what is set to be a spectacular competition, with England looking to defend the trophy they won for the first time on that famous Sunday at Lord’s four years ago.
With only four teams qualifying from the group stage for the semi-finals, a slow start to the tournament could spell disaster. The 10-team round-robin format is long, but it doesn’t allow for many mistakes, so even though this is the opening fixture, both teams will already know just how important this match is.
England vs. New Zealand Betting Odds
The betting to reach the semi-finals of the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup gives an interesting insight into who the bookmakers think will go the furthest in the competition.
At the moment, India, England, Australia and Pakistan are the four sides favoured to make it to the last four in the latest Cricket World Cup betting odds. South Africa and New Zealand are joint-fifth at 6/5. This suggests that New Zealand needs to get this competition off to a flyer, and then hope the other betting favourites all beat each other.
10Cric
- England are 1/2 to win the opening match with 10Cric
- New Zealand are 13/8 to win with 10Cric
William Hill
- England are 8/15 to win the opening match with William Hill
- New Zealand are 6/4 to win with William Hill
Casumo
- England are 8/15 to win the opening match with Casumo
- New Zealand are 6/4 to win with Casumo
England vs New Zealand predictions
What a match to start the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup with. The two finalists from 2019, in a day-nighter at Ahmedabad in the spectacular Narendra Modi Stadium.
England will be captained by Jos Buttler, and already he has stated that Ben Stokes is unlikely to be risked in the opening match. Given the performances of Stokes in finals, England will gladly wrap their match winner in cotton wool for latter stages of the competition.
Stokes will be a loss, and his absence will obviously make England’s chances of a win less likely.
New Zealand will be led by Tom Latham in the absence of Kane Williamson who won’t be available until later in the competition as he continues to regain fitness after his knee injury sustained in the IPL.
As the match is a day-nighter, dew will come into play. Both sides will probably want to chase, and this could come down to betting on the team that wins the toss.
England vs New Zealand Stats
There’s no World Cup statistics from this competition for obvious reasons, but here’s a few pointers to get you started.
- England have won four of their last five ODIs, including three against New Zealand, just last month
- New Zealand have won their last two warm up matches, but lost their recent series away to England 3-1
- The two sides have played 95 ODIs against each other. The record is 44-44, with 11 matches either drawn or ending in no result
- When England defeated New Zealand in the group stage on the 2019 World Cup, it was their first World Cup win over New Zealand since 1983
- New Zealand’s most famous win over England came in the 2015 World Cup when they dismissed England for a pathetic 123, and knocked the runs off in just 12.2 Overs
England vs New Zealand Match Details
- Location; Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, India
- Date; Thursday 5th October 2023
- Time; 9 am BST
How to Watch England vs New Zealand
- UK: Sky Sports Cricket
- New Zealand: Sky Sports 3
- India: Star Sports
England vs New Zealand Betting Tips
Over 12.5 Sixes @ 10/11
The first betting tip for England vs New Zealand is on the total match sixes market.
The Narendra Modi Stadium may be a huge capacity, but it is not the biggest playing surface which can lead to high scoring matches.
With both teams possessing some big hitters, we think Over 12.5 sixes at 10/11 is worth a punt.
Joe Root Under 32.5 Runs @ 5/6
The England man has had a torrid run lately and he will be keen to put things right and make amends.
We don’t see it happening in the first match, and we feel Root will fall just short of the spread.
