McCullum hails ‘incredible’ effort by his side
New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum was over the moon with his side's demolition of England in Wellington on Friday, calling it an 'incredible' effort to finish the game in less than 46 overs in total.
Seven wickets from Tim Southee, for just 33 runs, saw England all out for 123 runs. McCullum then took it upon himself to get the majority of the runs, getting 77 off just 25 balls, the fastest fifty in World Cups.
McCullum said after the game: "It was incredible. We wanted to bat first as well. I thought the pitch was pretty good, but it is just the ability of our bowlers to swing the ball in the air.
"It was a world-class performance, the crowd was amazing. Amazing for us to have this attack up our sleeve, and we have guys on the sidelines who have done well for us in the past."
He added of their three wins in a row in the first week of the tournament: "It's been a huge first week in the tournament, and now we have some time to regroup."
He added graciously: "I am sure England will bounce back but good to get the points against a pretty strong England side."
England captain Eoin Morgan, who got 17 runs off 41 balls after a string of single figure scores, was gutted by the loss, saying when he won the toss he thought the deck would be good to bat on.
Morgan said: "They bowled really well. It swung throughout our innings, which was pretty unexpected. We expected it to be batting friendly throughout the innings.
"It's difficult to regroup (after two defeats). We will concentrate on simple things from here on. I feel a lot better as a batsman after today."
Of his opposite number's knock, which saw Steve Finn go for 49 runs in two overs, Morgan added: "McCullum is not the ideal candidate to be bowling at when you have only 123 on board."
Latest
-
NewsJames Anderson lands key wicket but Niroshan Dickwella fights on
England’s record wicket-taker was immediately on the hunt again, finding sharp movement off the pitch to remove Mathews in his first over.
-
NewsOn this day in 2016: Shivnarine Chanderpaul announces international retirement
Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 2008, the West Indies batsman became only the second player to make a double century in his first Test as captain.
-
NewsSri Lanka v England Day One: Anderson and Mathews vie for control in Galle
James Anderson returned figures of three for 24.
-
NewsJames Anderson reveals nerves on Test return
The England seamer added to his 600 wickets as Sri Lanka finished day one on 229 for four in Galle.
-
NewsAlex Hales hits blistering Big Bash century
Hales has been in international exile since a second recreational drug test failure on the eve of England’s triumphant World Cup campaign.
-
NewsAngelo Mathews century repels England after James Anderson’s three-wicket burst
The 38-year-old finished with exemplary figures of three for 24 on a surface offering precious little encouragement.
-
NewsShubman Gill learned backfoot game with ‘1500 short balls every day’
Shubman Gill impressed with his technique against short-pitch bowling, and his father has said he honed those skills during practice.
-
NewsSri Lanka steady ship after James Anderson takes three wickets in Galle
The home side reached 155 for three at tea, with England’s record wicket-taker responsible for all three dismissals.
-
NewsCSA confident Australia tour will go ahead
CSA is confident the scheduled Australia tour to the country will take place despite the increasing number of Covid-19 cases in South Africa
-
NewsJames Anderson at the double on day one in Galle
Sri Lanka may have feared a repeat of their dismal 135 all out from last week.