England tour of New Zealand | First ODI in Mount Maunganui, Preview

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New Zealand will face England in the first ODI of the three-match series at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on Sunday. Having pocketed the T20I series 1-0, the visitors will look to extend their winning form to the ODI leg, with former captain Kane Williamson returning to the hosts’ line-up.
‌After a solitary win between two washed-out encounters in the three-match T20I series, England will look to continue their clean slate as they meet New Zealand in the first ODI at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on Sunday. This will also mark the first face-off between both sides in the ODI format in more than two years after their meeting in the 2023 ICC World Cup opener in Ahmedabad in October 2023.The visitors’ squad adopts a stable look with just three changes from their T20 side, along with the addition of pacer Jofra Archer. Former skipper Joe Root, Ben Duckett, and Jamie Smith come into the side in place of Phil Salt, Zak Crawley, and Jordan Cox. Meanwhile, Kane Williamson makes his way back in the Kiwis’ side after opting out of the T20I leg.

The former New Zealand skipper will expectedly take the field for the first time in international cricket after the ICC Champions Trophy final loss to India in March earlier this year. Incidentally, the home side played just three more ODIs after their Champions Trophy campaign, beating Pakistan 3-0 in a three-match home series in April.

However, England played the 50-over format more recently, albeit losing a home duel against South Africa last month. After losing the first two ODIs, at Leeds and Lord’s, respectively, they pulled off a consolation win with a massive 342-run victory against the Proteas in Southampton.

Form Guide

NZ Form: W L W W W

ENG Form: W W L L W

NZ vs ENG head-to-head in ODIs

There is very little to pick between the two sides ,with New Zealand winning 45 of the total 96 matches. Meanwhile, England have won 44 times with three matches ending in ties and four ending without a result.

NZ 45 – 44 ENG

Pitch and Conditions

The surface at the Bay Oval is expected to be flat with some nip for the pacers in the initial overs. A high-scoring game is on the cards with the wicket expected to hold good throughout the game and the true bounce helping batters with shot-making. With three of the last five games being won by sides batting second, both captains are expected to field first in case they win the toss.

A sunny and breezy afternoon will welcome both sides to Bay Oval with temperatures expected to be around 19 degrees. It will get cloudier as the game progresses with temperatures dropping to around 12 degrees. However, it is good news for cricket fans as there is no forecast for rain throughout the contest.

Team News

Williamson is expected to start for the home side ahead of Will Young with Nathan Smith being the most likely replacement for the injured Kyle Jamieson. Meanwhile, England will rest Jofra Archer for the opener, with the intention of keeping the pacer fresh and ready for the upcoming Ashes, while Luke Wood might get a go-ahead.

NZ Expected XI

Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Tom Latham (wk), Daryl Mitchell, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Zakary Foulkes, Nathan Smith, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry

ENG Expected XI

Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith, Joe Root, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Sam Curran, Brydon Carse, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Luke Wood.

Broadcasting Platforms 

The NZ vs ENG first ODI match will be digitally streamed on the SonyLiv app and website in India from 6:30 AM IST on Sunday, with live telecast of the same on the Sony Sports Network.

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