World Cup: Southee rips through England

Wellington, Feb 20 (IANS) A stunning display of swing bowling from New Zealand's Tim Southee ripped through England and sent them crashing to a dismal 123 all out in a World Cup match here Friday.

Southee’s 7/33 - New Zealand’s best bowling in One-Day Internationals (ODIs), four of his wickets clean bowled - sent the co-hosts on track for a comprehensive victory at the Westpac Stadium.

Southee's figures are the best by a New Zealander in World Cup history and the third best by any bowler in the tournament's 11 editions.

England batsmen virtually staged a procession as they came and went back to the pavilion in quick succession. Only Joe Root (46) put on some sort of a resistance.

The procession was started by Ian Bell (8) in the fifth over when he was castled by Southee and ended in the 34th over when Root was caught in the deep. 

England won the toss and chose to bat in their Pool A game.

New Zealand went in with the same team for a third game in succession. The England team was also unchanged.

Brief Scores: England 123 all out in 33.2 overs (Joe Root 46, Mon Ali 20; Tim Southee 7/33, Daniel Vettori 1/19)