New Zealand's winning start in World Cup cricket, England's massive defeat

Kathmandu:- Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra scored brilliant centuries to give New Zealand a comprehensive victory over former champions England in the opening match of the ODI World Cup.

The target of 283 runs given by England was completed by New Zealand with the loss of 1 wicket in only 36.2 overs.

In New Zealand's win, Devon Conway remained unbeaten on 152 runs off 121 balls with 19 fours and 3 sixes. This is the fifth and best performance of Conway's ODI career.

Another young all-rounder Rachin Ravindra was not out for 123 runs off 96 balls with 11 fours and 5 sixes. This is Rabindra's first century.

Opener Will Yong was caught out by Jas Buttler for a wicket off Sam Karan. At that time, New Zealand had added 10 runs.

Then Conway and Ravindra secured an easy victory with an unbeaten double century partnership of 273 runs. Sam Karan took 1 wicket with 47 runs in 6 overs with 2 maidens.

Before that, England, who lost the toss and were invited to bat first, scored 282 runs losing 9 wickets in the scheduled 50 overs. The total was not enough for victory. England's top batsman Joe Root scored 77 runs off 86 balls with 4 fours and 1 six.

Root got bowled out by spinner Glenn Phillips. Captain Jas Buttler was dismissed for 43 runs off 42 balls with 2 fours and 2 sixes. Apart from Root, none of the other batsmen could play a big innings. Despite a good start, he lost wickets continuously due to big shorts.

Opener Jonny Bairstow scored 33 runs off 35 balls with 4 fours and 1 six. Other openers David Malan 14, Harry Crook 25, Moeen Ali 11, Liam Livingstone 20, Sam Curran 14 and Chris Woakes were dismissed for 11 runs. Adil Rashid 15 and Mark Wood remained not out for 13 runs.

In New Zealand's victory, fast bowler Matt Henry took 3 wickets for 48 runs in 10 overs. Spinner Mitchell Santnar took 2 wickets for 37 runs in 10 overs. Trent Boult took 1 wicket for 48 runs with 1 maiden in 10 overs. Glen Phillips took 2 wickets for 17 runs in 3 overs.

England will now play Bangladesh in Dharamsala on Tuesday. New Zealand will play the second match against Netherlands in Hyderabad on Monday. The match between Netherlands and Pakistan will take place on Friday.