The ODI World Cup has been won by only six nations since its debut in 1975. On Thursday New Zealand will kick start their journey as their quest to become the seventh team to win the tournament beings in the 2023 edition’s opening match in India.
New Zealand lock horns against the defending champions, England, in Ahmedabad, which is a potential rematch of the exciting 2019 championship game where they lost to the English team on a boundary countback, resulting in their second consecutive loss in the final.
The Black Caps are eager to begin strong in the 10-team round-robin play and secure one of the four semifinal berths available. Although the stakes may not be as high at the Narendra Modi Stadium, they are determined to give their best shot. Here are the results of New Zealand’s 12 previous ODI World Cup opening games.
New Zealand Record in ODI World Cup Openers
England vs New Zealand (1975)
The rivalry between two of the most consistent teams in ODI World Cups began in the first ever edition of the Cricket World Cup hosted in England. New Zealand and England battled out in their maiden appearance at Edgbaston. Sadly, the home team England got the better of the Black Caps as New Zealand lost the match by 80 runs their first taste of defeat at the World cup stage. defeated by New Zealand managed to score 186/10 in response to England’s total of 266/6.
Match Winner: England
New Zealand vs India (1979 )
New Zealand played their opening match against India in the second edition of ODI World Cup, which was again held in England. India scored a total of 182/9 batting first and New Zealand chased down the target with ease and won the match by 8 wickets.
Match Winner: New Zealand
England vs New Zealand (1983)
New Zealand played England in the tournament’s first game in the 1983 ODI World Cup and registered an historic win by 106 runs a shocker to the hosts. England was dismissed for 133 runs after New Zealand batted first and scored 239/5.
Match Winner: New Zealand
New Zealand vs Zimbabwe (1987)
New Zealand faced off against Zimbabwe in their opening match in the 1987 Cricket World Cup, which was played in India and Pakistan. By 3 wickets, they defeated their opponent. New Zealand scored 236/7 with 4 balls remaining to make the goal after Zimbabwe scored 233/6.
Match Winner: New Zealand
Australia vs New Zealand (1992)
In the opening match of the 1992 Cricket World Cup in Australia and New Zealand the two host nations Australia and New Zealand clashed off in the tournament opener and the Black Caps got the better of their neighbors on the day. New Zealand managed to score 248/6 and then restricted Australia to 211/10 and won the match by 37 runs.
Match Winner: New Zealand
New Zealand vs England (1996)
New Zealand and England played in the opening match in the 1996 ICC Cricket World Cup, which was hosted in the Indian subcontinent. Sadly, they fell short by a score of 9 runs. New Zealand’s innings ended with 230/10, while England finished with 239/6.
Match Winner: England
England vs New Zealand (1999)
New Zealand had the chance of defeating England at their own backyard. The Black Caps succeeded in outplaying the home team in both the batting and bowling departments. England were bowled put for 186 runs and then New Zealand chased down the target with 9 wickets to spare.
Match Winner: New Zealand
New Zealand vs Sri Lanka (2003)
The Black caps were up against the mighty Lankans in their first match of the 2003 ODI World Cup played in South Africa. New Zealand suffered a huge loss after they failed to chase down 272 runs against the lethal bowling attack of Sri Lanka as they managed to score 225 runs.
Match Winner: Sri Lanka
New Zealand vs Kenya (2007)
New Zealand played Kenya in the tournament’s opening game in the 2007 ODI World cup hosted by West Indies and won the match by a huge margin of 148 runs as Kenya was dismissed for 183 runs, while New Zealand posted a total of 331/7.
Match Winner: New Zealand
New Zealand vs Kenya (2011)
New Zealand played Kenya in their opening match in the 2011 ODI World Cup, which was hosted in the Indian subcontinent. Kenya were bowled out for one of the lowest totals in World Cup history 69/10 and New Zealand chased down the target and won the match y 10 wickets.
Match Winner: New Zealand
New Zealand vs Sri Lanka (2015)
New Zealand and Sri Lanka squared off in the tournament’s opening encounter of the 2015 Cricket World Cup. Playing their first game as hosts New Zealand were dominant in their approach scoring 331/6 batting first and then bundled out Sri Lanka to 233/10 and won the match by 98 runs.
Match Winner: New Zealand
New Zealand vs Sri Lanka (2019)
New Zealand faced Sri Lanka in their opening match in the 2019 ODI World Cup, which was contested in England and Wales. By 10 wickets, they triumphed in this game. New Zealand chased it down easily, scoring 137/0.
Match Winner: Sri Lanka
