The build-up to the upcoming ODI matches between England and New Zealand has been dominated by the returns of key players Stokes and Boult.
The two teams will face each other in the 50-over format after a gap of four years, and the anticipation is palpable.
With the World Cup just around the corner, this series is expected to be a crucial preparation for both sides.
England’s return to the ODI format after a long hiatus has created much excitement among cricket fans.
However, the team’s lack of game-time in the format has been a concern, with many of the players, including key figures like Root, Bairstow, and Buttler, having played very few matches since the World Cup final.
The ECB’s neglect of the format has been evident, with domestic 50-over cricket being relegated to a feeder competition after the birth of the Hundred.
New Zealand, too, has struggled with game-time in the format, with the number of matches played by the team drastically reducing post-2019.
The team’s captain, Tom Latham, has been a near-permanent fixture, but other players have had limited opportunities in the format, including Trent Boult, who has played only ten matches in the last four years.
Despite these concerns, the upcoming series is expected to be fiercely competitive, with both teams eager to prove themselves ahead of the World Cup.
England’s senior players are expected to lead the charge, with Stokes, Root, Bairstow, Moeen Ali, Wood, and Woakes looking to recapture the instinctual cricket that made them world-beaters in the first place.
New Zealand, on the other hand, will be looking to draw on their experience and depth of know-how to go deep once again.
The return of Kane Williamson, who is recovering from a long-term knee injury, will also be a key subplot in the coming days.
As both teams prepare for the World Cup, the series will be a test of their abilities to reach an ODI cruising altitude from a standing start over the course of four games in eight days.
The cricketing world is eagerly waiting to see how these two great teams fare in the upcoming matches.
