Former Indian cricket team opener Virender Sehwag believes that the Cricket World Cup 2023 organisers should give free tickets to school and college students for matches not featuring India after the competition opened to empty stands in Ahmedabad on Thursday. The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad failed to draw crowds and the lack of support left a lot of cricket fans on social media stunned. Sehwag believes that the popularity for ODI cricket is dwindling at the moment and better access for youngsters during the tournament can boost their interest in the sport.
“Hopefully after office hours, there should be more people coming in. But for games not featuring Bharat, there should be free tickets for school and college children. With the fading interest in 50 over game, it will definitely help that youngsters get to experience a World Cup game and players get to play in fron (sic) of a full stadium.” Sehwag posted on social media platform X (formerly called Twitter).
New Zealand won the toss and put defending champions England in to bat in the World Cup opener on Thursday with the English missing their talisman Ben Stokes due to a hip injury.
Hopefully after office hours, there should be more people coming in. But for games not featuring Bharat, there should be free tickets for school and college children. With the fading interest in 50 over game, it will definitely help that youngsters get to experience a World Cup…
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) October 5, 2023
The clash, at the world’s biggest cricket stadium in the Indian city of Ahmedabad, is a rematch of the epic 2019 final when England won a tied game on boundary countback.
Tom Latham leads New Zealand, who will be without regular captain Kane Williamson and pace bowler Tim Southee, both recovering from injuries.
Fast bowler Lockie Ferguson is also out due to a niggle.
“Looks a reasonably good surface. Hopefully later on it gets better to bat,” Latham said at the toss. “Preparation has been great.”
England skipper Jos Buttler confirmed Stokes is out with a “niggle with his hip”.
Harry Brook comes in for Stokes, who was selected for the World Cup as a specialist batsman but will be unable to bowl due to a long-standing knee injury.
Buttler said they would have bowled first had he won the toss.
“Looks a really good wicket. Preparation has been okay,” said Buttler.
“Had a good series against New Zealand at home. Very proud of the achievement four years ago.”
Teams
England:Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (wk/capt), Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood
New Zealand:Devon Conway, Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk/capt), Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Matt Henry, Mitchell Santner, James Neesham, Trent Boult.
(With AFP inputs)
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