Cricket World Cup 2015 Notepad: Top Shot, Delivery, Catch and More from Day 7

New Zealand confirmed their position as one of the 2015 Cricket World Cup favourites after demolishing England in Wellington on Friday.

The tournament co-hosts delivered a one-day masterclass to smash Eoin Morgan's hapless side by eight wickets, coasting home with more than 37 overs to spare.

At 35 for one from six overs, England had got off to a decent start, but their top order proved no match for Tim Southee who delivered a career-best performance.

Swinging the white ball both ways, the 26-year-old took seven for 33 from his nine overs, the third-best haul in the history of the competition.

After Southee's early burst, Morgan and Joe Root looked to have steadied the England ship at 104 for three. A fine catch in the deep from Adam Milne to dismiss the skipper triggered a collapse that was spectacular by even English standards.

The visitors lost their final seven wickets for a paltry 19 runs in the space of just 44 balls.

"

Here's a look at England's Wellington Woes. #TheVerdict #CWC15 pic.twitter.com/gFXokbG4rt

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) February 20, 2015"

A victory target of just 124 was never likely to challenge a batting line-up of New Zealand's class.

Brendon McCullum made sure there were no jitters, putting on a brutal display of hitting to enter the World Cup record books.

The Black Caps' skipper smashed 77 from just 29 balls, reaching 50 from just 18 deliveries—the fastest in World Cup history.

It took the Kiwis just 6.4 overs to pass 100. Poor Steve Finn was the chief victim of McCullum's assault. The Middlesex seamer was smashed for an eye-popping 49 runs from his two overs, including four successive sixes.

There were 226 balls remaining when England were finally put out of their misery.

Coach Peter Moores has much work to do to try and repair England's shattered confidence after a disastrous start to the tournament.

New Zealand fans will be hoping for more of the same.

Shot of the Day

Positioning a sponsored car just behind the long-off boundary was always going to be a risky proposition, especially given New Zealand's powerful top order.

With such a juicy target to aim for, Brendon McCullum didn't need a second invitation. The Black Caps' skipper clubbed a short ball from Steven Finn back over the bowler's head and straight onto the shiny new Hyundai Genesis.

With eight fours and seven sixes, McCullum offered plenty of other Shot of the Day candidates. The New Zealand skipper punished anything remotely short, cutting a pair of amazing maximums over the backward-point boundary.

It's his hitting the car that will remain longest in the memory, though.

"

WATCH: @BLACKCAPS captain Brendan McCullum hit a car with a six in a dominant batting display. http://t.co/u4uO765LeX pic.twitter.com/UIf2CteAsk

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) February 20, 2015"

Delivery of the Day

Tim Southee was the pick of the bowlers on show in Wellington.

"

Southee's 7-33 off nine overs are the best World Cup figures by a New Zealand bowler. http://t.co/VKDb1SStUp pic.twitter.com/iOgXR2yQZK

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) February 20, 2015"

The first man on the receiving end of a jaffa was Moeen Ali. The left-hander was undone by a late-swinging full-length delivery that clattered into his off stump.

Even better was the delivery that accounted for the in-form James Taylor. Late swing was once again key. Southee produced just enough movement to beat the Nottinghamshire man's outside edge to clip the top of off stump.

Not many batsmen would have survived such a beauty of a delivery.

Catch of the Day

In a post-match press conference, per the Associated Press (h/t Yahoo Sports), Tim Southee was full of praise for his team's efforts in the field. "We've prided ourselves on being one of the best fielding sides for a number of years now and that's an attitude thing, led by Brendon himself and the way he throws himself around in the field."

The Black Caps were once again hugely impressive in the field. Best of the lot was a steepling catch from Adam Milne to dismiss Eoin Morgan off the bowling of Daniel Vettori.

The catch snuffed out any chance of an England comeback. If there is a weakness in the New Zealand side, it's not in the field.

"

WATCH: Check out this wonderful catch from Adam Milne to dismiss Eoin Morgan. http://t.co/k5v0gFfqya #fireitup #CWC15 pic.twitter.com/lzNzNXyhif

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) February 20, 2015"

Reaction

England's woeful efforts understandably sent Twitter into meltdown.

Kevin Pietersen cheerleader-in-chief Piers Morgan led the diatribe against the England hierarchy.

"

This is the worst England cricket performance in 150 years. We're witnessing history. #NZvENG

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) February 20, 2015"

Former skipper Michael Vaughan meanwhile offered some gallows humour.

"

Well that's one way to make sure you don't have to bowl at Death of the Innings... Lose in 13 overs...!!!!

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) February 20, 2015"

A picture speaks 1,000 words.

"

In case you missed #NZvENG, this sums it up... pic.twitter.com/cdUznUmNSd

— Paddy Power (@paddypower) February 20, 2015"

Many others saw the funny side.

"

Sorry English cricket fans but this is hilarious 😃 #NZvENG pic.twitter.com/bnjTXQ4ecY

— Ziyaad LFC (@ZIYAAD_LFC) February 20, 2015"

"

Alistar Cook after watching #NZvENG @BolshoyBooze pic.twitter.com/U1Q46cg06t

— Laugh Riot (@sjsuspartan) February 20, 2015"

Group A Table

New Zealand 3 3 0 0 3.586 6

Australia 1 1 0 0 2.22 2

Bangladesh 1 1 0 0 2.1 2

Sri Lanka 1 0 1 0 -1.96 0

Afghanistan 1 0 1 0 -2.1 0

Scotland 1 0 1 0 -3.039 0

England 2 0 2 0 -3.952 0

Saturday at the World Cup

If the weather holds in Brisbane (and that's looking like a very big "if"), co-hosts Australia will resume their campaign against Bangladesh on Saturday. Accuweather has forecast heavy rain in Queensland, though, which could well cause problems.

There's a "four-pointer" in Group B, as opening match losers Pakistan and the West Indies meet in Christchurch.

It's not quite win or bust, but both sides will be looking for major improvements after hugely disappointing efforts in their opening matches.