CWC 2019: England Win Toss, Opt to Bat against New Zealand

England won the toss and opted to bat first against New Zealand in the 41st match of the ICC World Cup 2019 at The Riverside Cricket Ground in Chester-le-street.

New Zealand, who are are one point above England and are sitting in third place, have suffered back-to-back setbacks against Pakistan and Australia.

Interestingly, even a defeat would not spell the end of either team’s chances of emerging as one of the top four.

If England lose today against the Black Caps in Chester-le-Street, Pakistan could bounce over them into the top four with victory over Bangladesh.

After beating the Tigers, Pakistan can draw level with New Zealand in the event if the Black Caps lose against England on Wednesday.

With Pakistan well behind on net run-rate, it would take a big New Zealand loss allied to a commanding Sarfraz XI victory over Bangladesh to deny the Black Caps a place in the last four.

England: 

Eoin Morgan (c), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler (wk), Tom Curran, Liam Dawson, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, James Vince, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.

New Zealand: 

Kane Williamson (c), Ross Taylor, Tom Latham (wk), Tom Blundell (wk), Mitchell Santner, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Colin Munro, Ish Sodhi, Henry Nicholls, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Jimmy Neesham.