England vs. New Zealand: Winners and Losers from Cricket World Cup Match

New Zealand trampled all over England in their Cricket World Cup match to win by eight wickets in a truly dominant performance by the hosts.

England were shot out for 123, then the Black Caps knocked off the runs required with ease to take the victory in Wellington.

For the English, they will be delighted this game is at an end, while the New Zealanders may well feel they are gaining some momentum after this win.

Let’s take a look back at some of the winners and losers from New Zealand’s demolition job.

Black Caps seamer Tim Southee is one of the best in the world at what he does, and against England, he looked almost unplayable at times.

The right-armer took seven for 33 in nine overs to decimate England’s batting lineup, including the vital wickets of Moeen Ali, James Taylor and Jos Buttler.

His effort will go down in history as the best ODI bowling performance by a New Zealander, ahead of two Shane Bond six-wicket hauls and another from Scott Styris.

Southee was a menace and showed just what he is capable of.

There is very little to say about an England scorecard that saw just four players reach double figures—Moeen Ali, Gary Ballance, Eoin Morgan and Joe Root.

Root showed the most resistance with 46 but was undone by a poor shot off Adam Milne that was caught by Daniel Vettori.

Ian Bell was poor at the top of the order with just eight from 17 balls, while James Taylor fell for a duck and Jos Buttler was out for just three.

It was a very disappointing effort from England.

With just 124 needed to win, New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum set the tone brilliantly as he laced 77 from just 25 deliveries at a staggering strike rate of 308.

England were run ragged by the Black Caps opener, who made his runs in just 7.1 overs before being bowled by a full toss from Chris Woakes.

McCullum’s aggressive strokeplay came to the fore and gave his side a huge advantage in net run-rate, which may be useful for determining who will advance from Pool A.

One England bowler to look especially clueless when faced with the rampaging McCullum was Steven Finn, who was carted for 49 in just two overs.

An economy rate of 24.5 speaks for itself, as does the fact that he was hit for a total of six sixes and three fours.

He also managed to deliver just two dot balls and was unable to cope with the barrage of the Black Caps opener.

They only took one wicket apiece and were overshadowed by the efforts of Tim Southee, but fellow bowlers Trent Boult and Daniel Vettori can be hugely encouraged.

Boult caused enormous problems for the talented Gary Ballance in his tortured innings and was rewarded with his wicket with his worst ball of the day.

The left-armer finished with one for 32 from 10 overs, managing to strangle England’s run rate considerably.

In addition, Vettori also looked very handy indeed to finish with one for 19 from seven overs and the vital wicket of England captain Eoin Morgan.

Morgan looked all at sea as he made 17 from 41 balls, then was caught brilliantly at long on by Adam Milne as he tried to heave Vettori over the ropes for six.

Both Vettori and Boult can be very pleased with their day’s work in the field.

Another England bowler to really suffer was Stuart Broad, who bowled just 2.2 overs and saw them disappear for 27 runs.

Like Finn, he was unable to stem the tide unleashed from McCullum’s bat, and as a leader of the attack, he will be disappointed to have been so ineffective.

England need much more from him if they are to be successful.