Very good start from Brydon Carse. Just two from the over and only one of those was off the bat.

That trio of sixes in the first over remain the only boundaries of the innings so far - not for a lack of trying, especially where Finn Allen is concerned!

Stephen Fleming
Former New Zealand captain on BBC Test Match Special

It has got to be a positive that these two have been batting together for the last month for Southern Brave.

They'll understand the tempo that the other is trying to go at and that two was because they knew it. They'll understand the rhythm of each other.

Brydon Carse is coming on to bowl the third over on his debut. Can he break this opening stand in his first over?

Stephen Fleming
Former New Zealand captain on BBC Test Match Special

I think that was a leading edge. That is what shocked Sam Curran because it did come back at him quickly.

Much better over for England and a glimmer of a chance, too, as Finn Allen sends the ball back at Sam Curran quickly.

The bowler sticks his arm up in his follow-through and the ball just flicks his fingertips.

I'm not sure you can call that a drop. The pace it went at, it was a half-chance at best.

Stephen Fleming
Former New Zealand captain on BBC Test Match Special

No swing means it is about defence and trying to find your length.

Good finish from Luke Wood after that trio of sixes.

It's a yorker, right in the blockhole and dug out well by Finn Allen.

Sam Curran will bowl the next over.

Damage to the ball as it sailed into the stands means it has to be changed. Will this one provide Luke Wood with a bit of swing?

Andy Zaltzman
Cricket statistician on Test Match Special

Finn Allen is the fifth player in a men's T20 to hit three sixes in the first over. He is the first New Zealand player to do it and the first against England.

Stephen Fleming
Former New Zealand captain on BBC Test Match Special

This is good batting. Luke Wood is struggling to find a method to contain.

NZ 18-0published at 0.5 overs

0.5 overs

Luke Wood drags his length back and is promptly pulled over square leg for six - two balls in a row!

That's three sixes on the trot for Finn Allen. What a start!

Stephen Fleming
Former New Zealand captain on BBC Test Match Special

That is a beautiful shot.

The first thing to note is there is no swing. Luke Wood has been swinging it in The Hundred.

NZ 6-0published at 0.3 overs

0.3 overs

Two dot balls to start for Luke Wood but Finn Allen nails the third straight back down the ground for six!

Wood has looked to go full but there is no swing there for him and after a couple of plays and misses, Allen connects superbly.

Here we go then. Luke Wood is ready to bowl the first over of the match...

Stephen Fleming
Former New Zealand captain on BBC Test Match Special

New Zealand's side is a good one but when you are missing someone like Kane Williamson it just takes away that little star power.

Daryl Mitchell has been very good. Devon Conway has been incredibly consistent and expect him to score runs in this series at some stage, if not all the way through.

Finn Allen is the one to look at it. He'll take the risks and he's got the ability. I spoke to him after the Hundred eliminator when he played well in the first innings but Jos Buttler controlled the innings in the second. Allen is learning that. He's got all the shots in the book but it is just when to pull the trigger and knowing which weapon to attack with.

The umpires, sporting bright pink jackets, lead the teams out with Jos Buttler and England not far behind.

Finn Allen sprints his way to the middle but his fellow New Zealander opener Devon Conway opts for an altogether more leisurely pace.

Stephen Fleming
Former New Zealand captain on BBC Test Match Special

There a lot of players in England's squad that have versatility with spin and ability to play in India. Sometimes you can get lost in why Harry Brook should be there [at the World Cup] but sometimes you have to ask why he shouldn't.

You sometimes just need to take a breath and a little pause. There is no doubt he is an absolute gun and he showed his maturity in The Hundred by coming back in and scoring that century.

Image source, Getty Images

This is what the teams are playing for but both will have their eyes on a far bigger prize before the year is out...

Ebony Rainford-Brent
Former England batter on BBC Test Match Special

There is something about a World Cup and the build-up to it because you start asking those questions.

Luke Wood is someone who I have watched a lot, and he gets a lot of swing. Is he someone who could throw his name into the hat?

Stephen Fleming
Former New Zealand captain on BBC Test Match Special

The cohesion will be important today, just getting together and playing together again.

It is a really important day to get back into the rhythm of international cricket and playing together.