England’s famous Bazzball goes for a Toss! Tasked to chase 283 in the ICC World Cup opener, New Zealand came out with all guns blazing. Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway slammed their respective fifties as England gets struck by Kiwi blitzkrieg. Though opener Will Young departed for a duck, the two left-handed Kiwis hammered their way to half-centuries in just 36 balls.
In a repeat of the 2019 World Cup finals, England and New Zealand meet each other in the opening match of the ICC World Cup 2023. Batting first the Three Lions managed to put 282 on the board courtesy of Joe Root. But it was the Kiwis who have been better in their gameplay. Though Will Young departed without scoring, it was Conway and young Ravindra who shocked England.
Making his World Cup debut at the young age of 23, Rachin Ravindra took no prisoners. He came to bat and hit whatever balls he could. With 7 fours and 3 gigantic sixes, he managed to reach 53 from just 36 balls.
Fellow left-handed batter Devon Conway was equally brilliant. Scoring runs at a brisk rate, he too reached his fifty from 36 balls, hitting 7 fours and a solitary six in the process.
‘Empty Stands’ Fans lash out after ICC & BCCI fails to attract fans in World Cup opener
Joe Root edges ahead in Fab 5 World Cup race with classy fifty
Kiwis Tame Bazzball
Bazzball came to the headlines some year and a half back. England’s new aggressive approach following a disastrous 4-0 Ashes loss saw England recovering from their slump. HIghly aggressive and violent approach to batting and strong bowling gave the Three Lions some much-needed success.
But the same Bazzball has virtually no effect on the Kiwis. Though they got an early wicket, the dynamic duo of Conway and Ravindra have left England gasping for breath and looking for answers. England will have to get some early wickets or else the Conway-Ravindra duo can snatch the game away with relative ease.
