England humbled in Wellington

2:42 pm on 22 February 2015

The Black Caps have inflicted a massive and humiliating eight-wicket defeat on England in their Cricket World Cup clash in Wellington.

Paceman Tim Southee's seven wickets for just 33 runs were the best-ever figures for a New Zealand bowler at a World Cup, or any ODI ever, as the English were bowled out for a paltry 123.

The captain Brendon McCullum then broke his own record for the fastest half century at a World Cup, off just 18 balls - before he was out for 77.

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Tim Southee appeals to the umpire in Wellington Photo: Photosport

But there was controversy with the enforced supper break happening with the hosts needing just 12 runs for victory, at 112 for one after nine overs.

And while they lost opener Martin Guptill for 22 when play finally restarted, it didn't take long to reach the target, victory quickly wrapped up as they made 125 for two.

Ross Taylor finished unbeaten on five with Kane Williamson nine not out, the big win coming in only three hours and 45 minutes of play - including the 45-minute break.

Southee helped restrict the English to only 3.69 runs an over after they won the toss and chose to bat first, the Northern Districts man swinging the ball hard at the renamed Westpac Stadium, now called Wellington Stadium for the duration of the Cup.

The Black Caps captain Brendon McCullum. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The Black Caps captain Brendon McCullum hits a boundary. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

England were 104 for three at the halfway stage, thanks to a promising partnership between Joe Root and the captain Eoin Morgan, before they fell to pieces.

Morgan went for 17 off Daniel Vettori, caught by Adam Milne, while Root top-scored with 46 before he became the final wicket for Milne, with former skipper Vettori returning the favour with the catch.

Tim Southee celebrates the wicket of Ian Bell with his Black Caps team-mates Photo: Photosport

Opener Ian Bell was Southee's first scalp, bowled for eight, before he also cleaned out Moeen Ali for 20.

Trent Boult chimed in with Gary Ballance for 11, caught by Kane Williamson at short cover, skipper Morgan was next off, then Southee bowled James Taylor for a duck the next over.

Jos Butler went for three caught behind by wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi off Southee, who bowled Chris Woakes soon after for one, then claimed Stuart Broad for four, caught by Vettori at mid-off.

Steven Finn also went to Southee, caught for a duck by Ross Taylor at first slip.

Both teams were unchanged.

After wins over Sri Lanka and Scotland, the Black Caps played their third game in the space of seven days with the same squad.

So Nathan McCullum, Tom Latham, Kyle Mills, and Mitchell McClenaghan still haven't played a Cup match.