NZ vs ENG, ICC World Cup 2019 Final: New Zealand Opt To Bat; Both Sides Remain Unchanged

Who will be the new World Champions? We have to wait and watch as the Englishmen take the field against Blackcaps at the home of cricket on Sunday

It’s not just a trophy; it’s a matter of pride for which both England and New Zealand have sweated hard. It remains an unfulfilled dream for these two sides and after 23 long years, finally, the time has come when the people out there will witness a new World Champion of ODI cricket. Since 2011 edition, the host nations have been winning the title. India began the trend and Australia continued it in 2015. This time England have cruised into the finals with unending home support. Now, it has to be seen whether the trend continues this time as well or the ‘underrated’ New Zealand break the chain. We have to wait and watch as the Englishmen take the field against Blackcaps at the home of cricket on Sunday. Toss Update: New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson has won the toss and decided to bat first with an unchanged XI. “A bat-first surface, but the overhead conditions do make it confusing. We have a job first up with the bat. We're playing the same team. The semi was a tough scrap for both sides, but we're happy we got across the line in that game. Always backing Guptill with the bat. He'll go and play with freedom. Our team has played with a lot of heart and fight and has gotten us across the line so many times. A number of parts that are different from the 2015 final, different personnel, but any experience is positive to learn from. It's a different day and anything can happen. Winning will be incredibly special, but before that, we need to play some good cricket,” said Williamson at the toss. On the other hand, the hosts also haven’t made any change to side for the final. “It was a 50-50 call. The overheads will lean towards the ball. Whichever side plays better will lift the trophy. The strongest part in Edgbaston was our bowling. If we can put our ball in the areas early on today, we are in with a great chance. I'm extremely proud. Everyone has put in the hard work over the last four years. We have embraced pressure throughout the tournament, and the semi-final epitomized that,” said Eoin Morgan at the toss. Here are the teams: England: Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan(c), Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler(w), Chris Woakes, Liam Plunkett, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Henry Nicholls, Kane Williamson(c), Ross Taylor, James Neesham, Tom Latham(w), Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson