England suffered one of their most humiliating defeats in One Day International [ODI] history as they were thrashed by New Zealand in their second World Cup match.
The Kiwis crushed England by eight wickets in Wellington, dismissing Eoin Morgan's side for just 123 and then smashing the runs inside 13 overs.
It was England's joint heaviest defeat in a One Day International and for a side who down the years have specialised in humiliation, this abject performance plumbed new depths of disaster.
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"There was the opportunity of a good pitch and we folded," Geoffrey Boycott told the BBC. "If we're going to make a fist of this tournament, I want to be able to say 'well done England'. But, how do I say something praiseworthy about that? ... I can't lie about it."
England actually began brightly, reaching 104 for the loss of three wickets after just 25 overs. Joe Root looked in good touch and captain Eoin Morgan was battling hard to overcome his recent poor form. And the wheels came off, or rather the bails did as Kiwi quick Tim Southee produced one of the most devastating spells of fast bowling in ODI history.
The collapse began when Morgan fell to a brilliant catch by Adam Milne off the bowling of Daniel Vettori. England then lost their next six wickets for just 19 runs with Root looking on from the non-striker's end as Southee ripped through the middle order.
James Taylor was bowled for a duck, Woakes for 1 and Buttler, Broad and Finn also succumbed to the power of the paceman.
Having already claimed the wickets of Ian Bell and Moeen Ali, Southee finished with figures of 7 for 33, the best one-day international figures by a New Zealander and the third best in ODI history. Only Root emerged with any credit, the Yorkshireman the last to fall for a battling 46.
But the humiliation was far from finished for England. In came Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill to bat for the Kiwis and the pair put on a century partnership for the first wicket with McCullum cracking the fastest World Cup 50 in history (beating his own record). It took him just 18 balls to reach 50 and when he finally fell for 77 he had faced just 25 balls hitting eight fours and seven sixes in what Geoff Boycott described as a "murderous assault".
Steve Finn suffered most at the hands of the magnificent McCullum, his two overs going for an eye-watering 49 runs.
New Zealand wrapped up victory in 12 overs and two balls – for the loss of two wickets – and the defeat means England are now bottom of pool A having also lost to Australia in their opening match.
Morgan admitted it had been "a very disappointing day" and added: "We were outperformed….there's no positives to take from today, which is probably the most disappointing thing. But, we have to go back to getting the basics right in order to get any momentum in this tournament."
New Zealand captain McCullum said he "might have a quiet beer in the changing room" to celebrate his innings. He labelled his side's overall performance as "incredible".
For England it's their credibility that is now at stake and they must regroup before Sunday night's clash in Christchurch against Scotland. Lose that one and the English will be the laughing stock of world cricket – that is, if they aren't already.
