Three players to watch out for ahead of England vs. New Zealand 2023 ODI World Cup game

The stage is finally set as the 2023 ODI World Cup is set to begin. The first game will be a repeat of the Finals of the 2019 ODI World Cup. Familiar foes England and New Zealand battle it out in the first game on Thursday.

Ahmedabad is bustling with excitement as England and New Zealand are set to cross the battle lines. Narendra Modi is known to be a ground which has a penchant for high scoring. Both teams have power hitters that can hit and clear the boundaries at will.

With the game set to take place in less than 24 hours, the fans will be to keen know about the impact players. Here’s a look at the three players who could have a massive impact in the first game of the 2023 ODI World Cup.

#3 Trent Boult – New Zealand

Trent Boult (source-twitter)

The left-arm pace bowler has made a dramatic return to ODI Cricket after taking a sabbatical early this year. Since his return to the team Trent Boult has shown no signs of rust. The 34-year-old was at the core of New Zealand’s bowling attack in the last two editions of the ODI World Cup.

Trent Boult will start the 2023 ODI World Cup without his long-time new-ball partner Tim Southee. The onus will be thus on the left-arm pacer to shoulder the responsibility of getting early wickets with the new ball. Boult also is on the cusp of personal glory with just three wickets shy of the 200-wicket mark in ODI Cricket.

#2 Dawid Malan – England

Dawid Malan (source-twitter)

The 36-year-old has hit a purple patch just before the 2023 ODI World Cup. Dawid Malan will be certainly a player to watch out for during the game on Thursday. The left-hander has scores of 54, 96, and 127 in his last three games against the Kiwis.

Dawid Malan may have played just 21 ODI games for his nation but he has the penchant to score big. The Englishman has an average of 61 with the bat and a strike rate of 96 with 5 centuries and five half-centuries.

#1 Joe Root – England

Joe Root the former England skipper may not be in the greatest of form in recent times, but there is no denying his class. The 33-year-old is second on the list of the leading run-scorers for England in ODI Cricket.

Joe Root heads into the 2023 ODI World Cup on the back of some amazing performances in test cricket. The stylish batter from Yorkshire has the ability to play classic cricket as well as improvise when needed.