ICC World Cup 2015: New Zealand vs England

Moeen Ali was bowled by a wonderful yorker from Tim Southee

There’s no doubt that New Zealand started among the favourites to win their maiden World Cup, prior to the start of the tournament. They further enhanced their reputation on Friday after destroying England with both bat and ball and giving a clear signal to other teams that they mean business.

Tim Southee was the star with the ball with career-best figures of 7 for 33 in 9 overs, thereby playing a massive role in dismissing England for 123. His captain though ensured that Southee wasn’t the lone star on the day, scoring a 25-ball 77 to help his side track down the target in 12.2 overs.

If New Zealand would want to remember this performance for days to come, the opposite can be said about England, who were blown away with both bat and ball. None of the batsmen put up any score of substance while all their bowlers were given a pasting at the hands of the Black Caps skipper.

Here are the individual player ratings for the game:

England

Ian Bell - 2/10

He might be England's most technically gifted batsman, but even he couldn't do much about the beauty that Tim Southee bowled to him.

Moeen Ali - 2/10

The left-hander fell to a superb yorker from Southee for 20, but the psychological damage had already been done in the same over when the right-arm pacer bowled a short ball to rattle Ali up.

Gary Ballance - 2/10

England seemed to have not learnt from their opening encounter against Australia and sent Ballance at 3 again on Friday. The move misfired for the second time, as he fell cheaply to Boult.

Joe Root - 4/10

The only shining light in England’s batting effort, Root tried his best to keep an innings in tatters going, but couldn't do much to stop the haemorrhage.

Eoin Morgan - 2/10

If ever his side needed him to deliver desperately, it was today. But Morgan couldn't rescue them from troubled waters and became Vettori's only victim for the day.

James Taylor - 0/10

James Taylor scored the same number of runs as his rating. He became Southee's third wicket of the day.

Jos Buttler - 1/10

Much was expected out of Jos Buttler, but he couldn't do much either, becoming Southee's fourth victim for 3.

Chris Woakes - 4/10

Woakes can consider himself a bit unlucky as he received an absolute peach from Southee, which got through his defence. He was England's best bowler with the ball, picking up both the New Zealand wickets that fell.

Stuart Broad - 1/10

Southee can thank Broad for gifting his wicket to him for 4. The right-arm pacer's day got worse after he was smashed for 27 runs in 2.2 overs.

Steven Finn - 0/10

Finn became Southee's seventh victim, but what would give him sleepless nights for a while was the hammering he got at the hands of McCullum, who took him for 49 runs in 2 overs.

James Anderson - 1/10

When McCullum is in the kind of the mood that he was today, it doesn't matter who the bowler is. Anderson went for 37 runs in his 5 overs to blow away all hopes of a miraculous English victory.

Brendon McCullum played a belligerent innings of 77 off 25 balls

Martin Guptill - 5/10

Considering the way McCullum was batting, Guptill’s innings of 22 off 22 balls can be called a 'slow' one.

Brendon McCullum - 10/10

Cyclone Marcia might be on its way to Brisbane, but there's no doubt England were at the receiving end of a whirlwind themselves in Wellington, courtesy Kiwi skipper Brendon McCullum, who scored 77 from just 25 balls. The 33-year-old also led his troops in the field brilliantly, timing his bowling changes to perfection.

Kane Willamson - 5/10

Williamson didn't bowl during the game but remained not out in the end to finish the honours for his side. He also took the catch to dismiss Ballance.

Ross Taylor - 5/10

He was at the crease with Williamson when the winning runs were scored and ensured there were no more hiccups after New Zealand lost 2 wickets.

Grant Elliot - No Rating

Elliot had a day off as he didn't get to bat or bowl in the game.

Corey Anderson - No Rating

With Southee on fire, most of the other quicks had little to do. Anderson bowled 2 overs for 8 runs and didn't need to even pick up his bat after going into the changing rooms.

Luke Ronchi - 5/10

The wicket-keeper too had a relatively free day, with just one catch to his name. He, too, didn't have to bother to take his batting pads out.

Daniel Vettori - 7/10

The experienced spinner took the wicket of England skipper Eoin Morgan and took two catches to remove Joe Root and Stuart Broad.

Adam Milne - 6/10

The fast bowler might have taken just the one wicket, but also took a terrific catch in the deep to dismiss Morgan.

Tim Southee - 10/10

The right-arm paceman had an unforgettable day on the field, picking up figures of 7 for 33 in 9 overs. He was rightfully adjudged the player of the match.

Trent Boult - 6/10

Southee's bowling partner looked on from the other end as Southee wreaked havoc on the English batting line-up. However, Boult too had a say, picking up the wicket of Gary Ballance.