Brendon McCullum recorded the World Cup's fastest fifty, off just 18 balls, after Tim Southee wrecked havoc with a seven-wicket haul, as New Zealand cruised to a comprehensive eight-wicket victory over England in a Pool A match of the quadrennial extravaganza in Wellington on Friday.
Southee, McCullum destroy England in Wellington
McCullum does it again! Hits fastest 50 in World Cup!
Skipper McCullum's whirlwind half-century was studded with seven fours and four sixes as New Zealand chased down the modest target with ease.
He had eight boundaries and seven sixes in his knock of 77.
The opener eclipsed his own World Cup record when he smashed pacer Steven Finn for a six, having made a fifty off 20 balls against Canada in the 2007 edition in the West Indies.
He was dismissed by Chris Woakes after playing a sensational knock that came at a staggering strike rate of 308.00.
It was McCullum's 29th ODI half century in 243 matches.
Opting to bat after winning the toss at the Westpack Stadium, England were bowled out for a paltry 123, with fast bowler Southee returning figures of 7 for 33, the third best in World Cup history after Glenn McGrath and Andy Bichel.
In reply, New Zealand completed the formality in just 12.2 overs, McCullum blasting his way to a 25-ball 77. The batsman reached his half-century off just 18 balls to set a new record in the showpiece event.
Earlier, the 26-year-old Southee, whose previous best in ODIs was 5 for 33, bowled Ian Bell and Mooen Ali with just 36 runs on the board as England found the going tough from the beginning.
Batting at the number four position, only Joe Root tried to show some fight as he top-scored with a painstaking 46 off 70 balls, which included three hits to fence, before he was dismissed by Milne.
Opener Ali was the next best scorer with 20, while skipper Eoin Morgan made only 17 in what was a disastrous showing by the English outfit against the Southee-led inspired New Zealand attack.
That the English side could bat only 33.2 overs was ample evidence of their inept batting on a wicket that had something for the quicker bowlers.
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