New Zealand have restricted England to a below par in the opening match of ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 on Thursday (5th October) at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. Matt Henry's excellent 3 fer aided by part timer Glenn Phillips' 2 wicket haul helped New Zealand restrict England for 282. On the other hand, Joe Root's majestic 77 was the top score from English side.

Root-Buttler 70 run stand helps England recover from nearly a collapse. 
Earlier, New Zealand won the toss and opted to bowl first. England were without their talismanic Ben Stokes due to his niggle and New Zealand were without Kane Williamson. After opting to bowl first, Kiwis have been lacksture as Bairstow was smashing the Kiwis hard. He raced to 33 off just 35 deliveries before Mitchell Santner picked him up. Dawid Malan was the next man to go as he fell to Matt Henry for a slowish 14 off 24 balls.

England were 64-2 and then Harry Brook came and he took the Kiwis to get England back in the game. Brook reached 25 in a blink of an eye and then got out to Rachin Ravindra. Glenn Phillips dismissed Moeen Ali and England again were in the sea. Skipper Joss Buttler and number three batter Joe Root took the rein. The duo added 70 runs and almost were cruising for a big total but Matt Henry the man with the golden arm removed Joss Buttler and broke the ominous partnership. Buttler went back to the hutch scoring a breezy 43 off 42 balls.

But Root was adamant and he got his lost form back. He scored a majestic 77 off just 86 balls and was the man help England going. But Glenn Phillips yet again didn't let the match slip away from New Zealand and removed Root. England then fell into a deep sea as Boult and Matt Henry teared apart England's lower order. But the last wicket 30 run partnership proved too hard for New Zealand as England posted a competitive 282 on the board after alloted 50 overs.