They say you never get a second chance to make a first impression, and both England and the Cricket World Cup’s organizers will hope that their initial impression is not a lasting one. On the field, the tournament got off to a perky start with a resourceful New Zealand side overcoming injuries to three key players. Stand-in captain Tom Latham led an attack supported by part-time bowlers, and Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra successfully chased down a target of 283 runs in just 36.2 overs. Conway’s unbeaten 152 and Ravindra’s 123 not out were standout performances, making a strong statement in favor of the New Zealand team.
The day also featured Sachin Tendulkar, who looked in excellent form at the age of 50 as he escorted the trophy onto the field. The familiar voices of commentators Ian Smith, Nasser Hussain, and Ian Bishop added to the nostalgia of the match. However, the sight of empty orange stands and an overall lack of attendance raised concerns about the future of the 50-over format, despite already having sold television rights for the men’s ODI World Cup until 2031.
While there were some mitigations, such as record crowds for an opening match and daytime temperatures affecting attendance, the vast Narendra Modi Stadium was not a good fit for the two teams playing. Additionally, the late release of tickets and fixtures created doubts in the minds of potential attendees. It appeared that the Board of Control for Cricket in India did not prioritize these issues, which may have contributed to the lackluster crowd turnout.
England, as defending champions, did not live up to expectations with a timid performance that was easily overshadowed by New Zealand. This performance may come back to haunt them if net run-rate becomes a factor in the tournament. On the other hand, New Zealand, once again entering the tournament as underdogs, demonstrated their strength from the start, raising questions about their potential in the competition.