England vs New Zealand 2023: Eng vs NZ 1st T20I Preview, Playing XI, Live Streaming Details & Updates

England and New Zealand will play the opening encounter of the upcoming ODI World Cup. However, before the marquee event, the two teams are set to face each other in a four-match T20I series followed by as many ODIs. The first T20I is going to be played at Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street on Wednesday, August 30.

England are the reigning ODI as well as T20 World Cup champions. They will also have one eye on next year's T20 World Cup, which is going to be co-hosted by West Indies and the USA. In the same light, they have called up youngsters like Rehan Ahmed and Gus Atkinson, among others in the team. Jos Buttler will lead the side which has experience in the form of Liam Livingstone, Dawid Malan, Jonny Bairstow, and Adil Rashid. Josh Tongue and Josh Turner were initially named in the squad but have been ruled out owing to injuries. Chris Jordan and Brydon Carse have been called up as their replacements.

New Zealand recently beat UAE 2-1 in a three-match T20I series. Tim Southee's men gave opportunities to some youngsters and the Blackcaps were given a run for their money in all three games, even losing the second encounter by a comprehensive margin of seven wickets. The Kiwis have named a stronger side for the England T20Is and they picked up comprehensive victories against Gloucestershire and Worcestershire in two practice matches.

Pitch and conditions:

Only three T20Is have been played at this ground and the average first-innings score is 163. Two matches have been won by teams batting first while the chasing team has emerged victorious on one occasion. The pitch is expected to be good for batting. Weather is always a concerning factor in England but cricket enthusiasts will be happy to know that chances of rain interrupting the match in quite low.

Probable Playing XI For Eng vs NZ:

England

England's batting order might not see too many surprises but it would be interesting to see if the exciting Gus Atkinson and teenager Rehan Ahmed are given a go right away against a strong New Zealand batting side.

Probable Playing XI: Jos Buttler (C&wk), Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Will Jacks, Sam Curran, Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid, Gus Atkinson

New Zealand

Mark Chapman is the man in form while New Zealand would love the likes of Finn Allen and Lockie Ferguson to get back to their best. The Kiwis are set to have a lot of experienced players in their playing XI and it won't be a surprise if all of these players make it to their squad for next year's T20 World Cup.

Probable Playing XI: Finn Allen, Devon Conway (wk), Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee (C), Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson

ENG vs NZ Head-to-head: 

Played – 23, England- 14, New Zealand – 8, NR - 1

ENG vs NZ Broadcast and Live Streaming Details: 

Match Timings: 10:30 PM IST

Live Broadcast: Sony Sports

Live Streaming: Sony Liv and FanCode