The 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup gets underway in India on Thursday and the global showpiece promises to be the biggest event in the sport to date.

India is arguably the most cricket passionate country on the planet and with a population of over 2 billion people it’s not hard to understand why the event will be such an exciting affair.

On top of that the Indian cricket team are the favourites to win the title and with the adoring home support they will certainly be the team to beat.

Rohit Sharma - Cricinfo

The captain of the Indian team, Rohit Sharma, said he has no doubt this World Cup will be extra special.

Yeah, I mean, I said it at the start, you know, every leader sitting here wants to achieve really, really something special for their country,” said Sharma.

“And it is something which is very highly prized - the 50 over World Cup is something that I've always dreamt of, you know, growing up as a child and I'm sure it's the same for all the guys sitting here as well.

“One thing I can assure, which I'm pretty sure everyone knows about it, that people are going to love this tournament here.

“The stadiums are going to be jam-packed because you know people here in India love their cricket as much as they love their team but they love their cricket as well. But yeah, rest assured it's going to be a great tournament.”

Meanwhile, the action begins this morning in Ahmedabad with the defending champions, England in action against the Black Caps of New Zealand.It is a repeat of the 2019 final at Lords which England won in a thrilling Super Over.

A lot has happened in cricket over the last four years and the English are no longer the top ranked team, but very little separates them and the Kiwis.

Jos Buttler - Cricinfo

The English skipper, Jos Buttler, said the World Cup is something that is very dear to him and very little motivation will be needed.

“I think, yeah, really excited. I arrived here today and you're doing a little bit of media around the trophy,” said Buttler.

“You see all the plaques on there of previous winners and for me personally, it casts back to 2003, being in the crowd at the final in Johannesburg, going to quite a few of the games in 1999 when the World Cup was in England.

“So, some of my fondest memories of growing up with cricket have been around the 50 over World Cup.

“So, to be able to be a part of it and see our name on that trophy as well, it certainly gets the juices flowing.”

New Zealand in turn will be targeting a third straight final, however, this time they will want to go one better by winning the World Cup.

The Kiwis are one of the most consistent teams when it comes to the World Cup and they regularly reach at least the semi-finals.

Kane Williamson - Cricinfo

The captain, Kane Williamson, who is also coming off an injury said for the team it’s important to stick to what works for them.

“Yeah, I think like Jos mentioned, you sort of come to another event and everybody certainly starts from the same position and starts again.

“You go from tournament to tournament, teams change, opposition, conditions, so you know for us it's very much focusing on the style of cricket that we want to keep committing to and give us the best chance of putting out our best performance.

“It's been nice to have some enjoyable times and certainly full of different challenges over a number of tournaments that we have been involved in, but we're really excited at the challenges that lie ahead for this one and the differences that that'll bring comparatively to other tournaments.

“A great occasion here in India. The sport is just loved by so many, and it's going to be so well-supported as well. So, we're just looking forward to getting involved.”

The opening match on Thursday gets underway at 10:30. The Proteas will begin their campaign on Saturday against Sri Lanka.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport