Record-breaking New Zealand

New Zealand cemented their status as one of the World Cup tournament favorites after a dominant display against England in Wellington on Thursday. The win - completed in just 45.4 overs, fewer than half the scheduled amount for a one-day international - means they have now won three straight games in Pool A.

But it was the manner of victory that will make this match live long in the hearts of New Zealand fans. After England chose to bat, New Zealand paceman Tim Southee took seven for 33, the third-best World Cup figures of all-time, and the best figures ever for a New Zealander in One Day Internationals. In the end, England were bowled out for just 123 - only Joe Root offered some resistance with a score of 46.

In reply, New Zealand opener Brendon McCullum took the attack to England, hitting the fastest-ever World Cup fifty, off just 18 balls, on his way to an entertaining score of 77. His team chased down England's score in just 12.2 overs.

"It's a great win, while England have probably struggled of late, we knew we'd have to keep them quiet," McCullum said at the presentation ceremony.

As for man-of-the-match Southee's haul, McCullum added: "It's one of the best spells of bowling I've seen for a long time.

Poor tournament start for England

For England, this was their second clear loss in as many matches after they launched their World Cup campaign with a 111-run defeat against Australia, the other co-hosts, in Melbourne last Saturday.

With non-Test nation Scotland up next, England captain Eoin Morgan was optimistic that the worst was over for his team.

"Our first two games were always going to be tough, we need a win as soon as possible now," Morgan said.

Meanwhile, the other co-host, Australia, who sit second to New Zealand in Pool A, were forced to practice indoors in Brisbane after heavy rain associated with Cyclone Marcia hit the country's east coast, north of the Queensland capital.

The resulting rain, high winds and flooding means that Australia's match on Saturday against Bangladesh remains in doubt.

al/apc (AFP, AP, Reuters)