New Zealand / Cricket World Cup 2015

'This is going to be one painful inquest'

20:01 pm on 20 February 2015

England fans have been left stunned as the Black Caps swept to an eight-wicket victory in Wellington, setting two new records along the way.

England's captain Eoin Morgan walks from the field after being caught by New Zealand's Trent Boult. Photo: AFP

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum broke his own record for the fastest 50 at a Cricket World Cup, off just 18 balls.

In the first innings, Tim Southee's seven wickets for 33 runs were the best-ever figures for a New Zealander at a Cricket World Cup, with England bowled out for just 123.

Meanwhile, the International Cricket Council is defending the umpires' decision to call a 45-minute break with New Zealand needing only 12 runs to win after nine overs.

Reports from the stadium said many people thought the game was over when the break was called and started to leave.

The ICC said it was in its regulations for umpires to call breaks at certain points during the game, and they had no alternative.

Review the live commentary of today's match and read the wrap of the match from RNZ Sport.

Early thoughts on today's result from other parts of the world:

  • Marc Higginson and Adam Williams, BBC: "The New Zealand party can begin. For England, this is going to be one painful inquest."
  • Jack Gaughan, The Daily Mail: "Well, well. 12.2 overs it took New Zealand to make the required 124. What to say? It was abysmal from start to finish."
  • Andrew McGlashan, ESPN Cricinfo: "Tim Southee produced one of the great displays of ODI bowling and Brendon McCullum hammered a World Cup record 18-ball fifty as New Zealand produced a display of scarcely believable dominance in Wellington."
  • Vithushan Ehantharajah, The Guardian: "Tempted to pick the bones out of that, but let's be honest, England were always going to be up against it with Australia and New Zealand as their first two matches."
  • Giles Mole, The Telegraph: "This really, really isn't England's day. They've been hopeless and even luck isn't on their side."
  • John Ashdown, The Guardian: "In the two matches so far England have looked miles off the pace. It's actually pretty incredible just how outclassed they have been."
  • Paul Newman, Daily Mail: "A game against Scotland, with England's World Twenty20 winning captain in Paul Collingwood in their ranks, suddenly becomes the most important game in the lives of this England side and their coaches. They cannot afford to fail now."