Wellington - New Zealand paceman Tim Southee's brilliant six-wicket burst sparked an England collapse as the World Cup co-hosts dominated the early stages of their Pool B clash in Wellington on Friday.
Southee, now the tournament's leading wicket-taker, removed a succession of top-order batsmen as England -- who won the toss and batted -- slumped to 116 for eight in the 31st over.
The 26-year-old dismissed both England openers, bowling Ian Bell (eight) and out-thinking Moeen Ali (20) with a searing yorker before a similar delivery saw James Taylor depart for a duck.
Jos Buttler and Chris Woakes also fell to Southee, who after seven overs had fine figures of five for 28.
That made him only the third New Zealand bowler after Richard Hadlee and Shane Bond to take five wickets in a World Cup innings.
Southee's day -- and New Zealand's -- then got even better when Stuart Broad holed out tamely to leave England in dire straits.
His sixth wicket gave Southee, playing in his 88th ODI, his best limited-over bowling figures, surpassing his five for 33 against Pakistan in Wellington in 2011.
"We have been on song from the start," said coach Mike Hesson as the innings progressed.
"Tim Southee's bowling is almost Test match like, the way he has gone about his work. We have created opportunities with our field placings."
Hesson still urged caution.
"It's swinging out there so any total will be challenging."
AFP
