England batter Joe Root hit the first half-century of the Cricket World Cup on Thursday as the defending champions took on New Zealand in the tournament's opening game.

The former England Test captain raised his 37th ODI half-century off 57 balls laced with two fours and one six off a reverse scoop shot.

England reached 203 for five after 35 overs. Jos Buttler was the latest to fall after the England skipper struck a 42-ball 43.  

Despite being five down already, Buttler and Co will look to post around 350, given their depth in batting.

Earlier, sent in to bat, openers Johny Bairstow and Dawid Malan started off on the right note but the Blackcaps managed to stifle the scoring rate. Pacer Matt Henry has been the pick of the bowlers with two scalps.  

As a result, the defending champions saw their wickets fall despite the batters appearing set in the middle, especially Harry Brook who quickfired his way to score 25 off 16 deliveries.    

The 13th edition of the World Cup has 10 teams and will run for 45 days in 10 Indian cities with the final in Ahmedabad on November 19.