Ben Stokes ruled out of Cricket World Cup opener due to injury
- Planet Sport writer
- 5 October 2023
England began their World Cup title defence without Ben Stokes, with the star batter missing the tournament opener against New Zealand with a hip problem.
Stokes, the hero of the 2019 final, missed his side’s warm-up win over Bangladesh in Guwahati after experiencing soreness in his left hip and England have opted not to gamble with his fitness for the curtain-raiser in Ahmedabad.
Harry Brook, a late addition to the squad in place of the axed Jason Roy, came into the XI in Stokes' place.
England named six survivors from their triumph at Lord’s four years ago – Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Jos Buttler, Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid and Mark Wood. Seamer Reece Topley missed out in favour of all-rounders Sam Curran and Moeen Ali.
Meanwhile, the Black Caps were without captain Kane Williamson, still recovering from a ruptured ACL, but stand-in Tom Latham won the toss and opted to bowl first.
READ MORE: New Zealand's Tom Latham has put memories of 2019 Cricket World Cup final behind him
