The first encounter of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 will take place in India on October 5, 2023. New Zealand and England will face each other in the opener at Narendra Modi Stadium. However, both teams are said to be missing some of their best players. They have been tagged either with an injury that is enough to put their spots on hold or with an injury that will definitely not let them represent their respective nations in the global tournament.
To start with New Zealand, Kane Williamson is doubtful to play for the side after he sustained an ACL during the IPL. He has been out of action since then, with no ray of hope for his appearance. This takes away a calm batter for NZ. Tim Southee and Daryl Mitchell are likely to be excluded from Playing-11.
Losing their right-arm fast-medium pacer will hit them every time they are required to restrict an opponent’s chase. He has a total of 214 wickets to his name throughout 155 ODI innings. Daryl Mitchell takes away the element of being a batting all-rounder. His contributions have been largely in the batting line-up, for he has 1025 runs in 26 ODI innings at an average of 46.59 and a strike rate of 92.26.
England may enter the field without Adil Rashid and Mark Wood, with the latter’s absence portraying a larger worrisome trend. Adil has sustained cramps, and Wood is undergoing treatment for a sore heel.
Talking about the hosts, India has not ruled out any players due to a physical drain. They have kept two players on the waitlist, with their appearance likely to improve if they recover on time. This includes Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel. Rohit Sharma said in a media conference that the ICT management is looking after Iyer, ensuring he returns in good form. Axar Patel could miss a few early matches to become available in the later stages.
Their arch-rivals, Pakistan, have ruled out the possibility of having Naseem Shah on the side. His shoulder injury is not getting treated at the required pace. So, he will need more time before he starts picking up powerful wickets in the first 10 overs for Babar Azam. The absence of these players will affect most of the odds on the best cricket betting sites, especially for those teams that were favorites just a few days ago.
This means that although Australia were the favorites until last month, the probable absence of Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Ashton Agar, and Mitchell Starc will affect their chances of lifting the cup for the sixth time.
Sri Lanka last won the World Cup in 1996. They were runners-up in 2011. Going by their form in the Asia Cup 2023, one can only assume they badly need Wanindu Hasranga back in the team. That will happen only if he recovers from his hamstring.
Other notable players who could miss out on a chance to play in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 are Haris Rauf from Pakistan, Temba Bavuma from South Africa, Tamim Iqbal from Bangladesh, Ebadot Hossain from Bangladesh, and Imam ul Haq from Pakistan.
