New Delhi: The cricketing world's attention is now laser-focused on the grand opening of the ODI World Cup 2023, and all roads lead to Ahmedabad's majestic Narendra Modi Stadium. As the 13th edition of this marquee event gets underway, fans worldwide are treated to an exciting rematch that promises to stir the echoes of 2019. It's England, the defending champions, locking horns with New Zealand, the gallant runners-up from the last World Cup.

Back in 2019, the cricketing world witnessed a final for the ages. The Three Lions, England, clinched the World Cup in a heart-stopping clash on their home turf. The rollercoaster ride of that final took us to a Super Over, where the Kiwis experienced a gut-wrenching defeat for the second consecutive edition.

Since their dismal exit from the 2015 World Cup, England has orchestrated a remarkable transformation in white-ball cricket. They've cultivated a squad of white-ball specialists with an unwavering and fearless mindset. Between 2015 and 2019, England emerged triumphant in 15 of 19 multi-game ODI bilateral series, stamping their authority on the format. Led by the charismatic Jos Buttler, they now stand poised to capture their third World Cup trophy in just four years, holding the current T20 World Cup title as well. The resurgence of Ben Stokes, now an even better version of himself, further bolsters England's formidable lineup.

On the flip side, New Zealand, while harboring dreams of securing their maiden World Cup title, faces adversity as they prepare to begin their campaign. They will dearly miss their talismanic captain Kane Williamson due to injury, and the experienced pacer Tim Southee continues to recover from a recent thumb surgery.

In recent times, England showcased their dominance over New Zealand in ODI cricket by prevailing 3-1 in a series. However, it's vital to note that New Zealand, on their day, possess the prowess to vanquish any adversary, making this clash a tantalizing prospect for cricket aficionados around the globe.

When these two cricketing powerhouses collide, history beckons. With 95 ODIs between them, the battle remains incredibly close. England holds a slender lead, with 45 victories, while New Zealand has tasted success on 44 occasions. In four encounters, the outcome remained undecided, adding an extra layer of intrigue to this epic showdown.

Squads:

England: Jos Buttler (captain & wicketkeeper), Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow (wicketkeeper), Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Dawid Malan, Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Sam Curran, David Willey, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood, Reece Topley, Gus Atkinson.

New Zealand: Tom Latham (captain & wicketkeeper), Devon Conway (wicketkeeper), Will Young, Kane Williamson (unavailable against England), Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips (wicketkeeper), Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee (under fitness monitoring), Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry.

As the cricketing world braces for this high-voltage clash, the stage is set for a riveting spectacle that will undoubtedly be etched in the annals of cricketing history. The ODI World Cup 2023 is here, and it promises to deliver unforgettable moments of cricketing brilliance.

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