Cricket World Cup 2023: New Zealand keep England to 282/9 in World Cup opener

PTI Updated - October 05, 2023 at 06:10 PM.

Asked to bat first, England were served well by Joe Root’s 86-ball 77 but other batsmen were shackled by pacer Matt Henry (3/46), left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner (2/37) and part-time spinner Glenn Phillips (2/17)

England’s batter Joe Root plays a shot during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 match between England and New Zealand, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. | Photo Credit: KUNAL PATIL

Defending champions England's batters struggled on a sluggish pitch and made a below-par 282 for nine against New Zealand in the World Cup opener here on Thursday.

Asked to bat first, England were served well by Joe Root’s 86-ball 77 but other batsmen were shackled by pacer Matt Henry (3/46), left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner (2/37) and part-time spinner Glenn Phillips (2/17).

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There were useful knocks by Jonny Bairstow (33) and captain Jos Buttler (43), but they failed to kick on against the 2019 finalists, who were led by stand-in captain Tom Latham.

Brief scores

England: 282 for 9 in 50 overs (Joe Root 77, Jos Buttler 43, Jonny Bairstow 33; Matt Henry 3/46, Mitchell Santner 2/37, Glenn Phillips 2/17) vs New Zealand.

Published on October 5, 2023 12:39