England Vs New Zealand, ICC Cricket World Cup 2023: Ben Stokes Misses Opening Match Due To Hip Injury

England had won the 2019 ODI World Cup on the back of Ben Stokes' match-winning 84 not out in an epic final against New Zealand, but the all-rounder is not playing the World Cup re-match between the two teams owing to a hip niggle

Outlook Sports Desk

Updated on: 5 October 2023 9:22 am

England all-rounder Ben Stokes ahead of the World Cup opener against New Zealand.

Talismanic all-rounder Ben Stokes was ruled out of the England vs New Zealand encounter, which is the opening match of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. England have launched their title defence with this match. They had won the 2019 ODI World Cup on the back of Stokes' match-winning 84 not out in an epic final, which included a controversial overthrow boundary that helped England tie the game and take it to a Super Over. Stokes is sitting out the World Cup re-match between England and New Zealand due to a hip injury. (Scorecard | Match Blog | Streaming | Full Coverage)

The 32-year-old Stokes has been fighting long-term issues with a troublesome knee but reconsidered his retirement from ODIs to be picked as a specialist batter for England's World Cup campaign in India. He has not played any other competitive match since smashing 182 runs against familiar foes New Zealand in an ODI victory on 13 September.

From our 2019 success 🏆
To this 2023 contest 🏏
On the Road to Retain 💪#EnglandCricket | #CWC23 🌍 pic.twitter.com/xeUCZ0OYz8
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) October 5, 2023

Stokes was the only member of England’s World Cup squad not to take the field in their warm-up game against Bangladesh as he focuses on shining in the business end of the marquee tournament.

After losing the toss and being put in to bat by New Zealand, England skipper Jos Buttler said: “Ben's going to miss this game, he's got a little niggle with his hip.”

Watch: Tom Latham Speaks Ahead Of England vs New Zealand tie

New Zealand will also start their World Cup campaign without key players like captain Kane Williamson and pacer Tim Southee.

Williamson somehow recovered from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in April in time to play New Zealand’s World Cup warm-up matches, but will miss the clash against England to focus on re-building his fitness.

Line-Ups
England XI: Dawid Malan, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (c, wk), Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Sam Curran, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood
New Zealand XI: Devon Conway, Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (c, wk), Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Trent Boult