New Zealand beat England by eight wickets in the first ODI of a four-match series. Devon Conway and Daryl Mitchell both scored unbeaten centuries and shared a partnership of 180 runs to chase down the target of 292 with 26 balls to spare.
This was their first meeting in a one-day international since the 2019 Cricket World Cup final at Lord’s. The two teams will play each other in the opening match of the World Cup on October 5 in Ahmedabad.
New Zealand is in better form than England in limited-overs cricket, having won the last three matches against them. They won the final two Twenty20 internationals of their series, which ended in a 2-2 draw, and then won the first ODI of their four-match series. Devon Conway and Daryl Mitchell both scored unbeaten centuries in the first ODI, leading New Zealand to a comfortable victory over England.
Ben Stokes, who had reversed his decision to retire from ODI cricket, scored 52 runs in his return to the 50-over format. Dawid Malan also scored 54 runs. Harry Brook, who was left out of England’s World Cup squad, opened the innings with Malan and scored 25 runs. England has several questions to answer in their upcoming ODI series against New Zealand.
England lost Joe Root early in the first ODI against New Zealand, leaving them at 101-3 in the 21st over. However, Ben Stokes and captain Jos Buttler steadied the innings with a partnership of 88 runs. Buttler was the top scorer with 72 off 68 balls on his 33rd birthday.
Liam Livingstone also contributed with a lively 52 off 40, including three sixes, in a 77-run stand with Buttler. Allrounder Rachin Ravindra had 3-48 off his 10 overs of spin. David Willey’s unbeaten 21 included a six down the ground off the last ball, and England seemed to have set a testing target.
England vs New Zealand First ODI Highlights
New Zealand had a great tempo and was always ahead of the run rate in the first ODI against England. Opener Will Young and Henry Nicholls made useful contributions before Devon Conway and Daryl Mitchell came together with the score at 117-2 and took England’s attack apart.
Adil Rashid came in for heavy punishment as he was smashed over the shorter boundaries by Mitchell. Conway clinched the win with a straight six off Liam Livingstone. Conway praised Mitchell for his awesome performance and said that he made his job pretty easy at the other end.
