KEY POINTS:
Jesse Ryder came of age as an international cricketer last night, and New Zealand gained a new folk hero.
In the space of a little over an hour, the powerful Wellington left-hander moved from a player of uncommon promise to a genuine international match-winner as he and Brendon McCullum demolished England at Seddon Park to complete a crushing 10-wicket win.
It puts New Zealand 2-0 up in the five-game ODI series and opens the door for the series to be won at Eden Park on Friday.
After England's inadequate 158, in a game reduced by a 2h 20min rain break, New Zealand were set a target of 165 off 36 overs under the Duckworth-Lewis system. They reached it easily in just 18.1 overs, losing no wickets.
Ryder finished on 79 off 62 balls, with 11 fours and two sixes, several of which were thunderous blows either through the covers or over mid-wicket. McCullum slammed 80 in only 47 balls, including eight fours and five sixes.
McCullum was dropped by wicketkeeper Phil Mustard on 0 - in one of the more costly slip-ups in recent memory - but his innings was loaded with drives that crackled, vigorous pulls and lavish onside blows. But he has produced this before. This was slowcoach stuff compared with his unbeaten 80 in 28 balls against Bangladesh on New Year's Eve.
But Ryder was the story of the night. The 23-year-old arrived in the side amid criticism of his form and his physique. For Wellington this season he has been so-so, but he amply displayed his immense gifts. His strokeplay was bruising and dismissive, in the manner of a senior pro seeing off a group of kids in the practice nets.
"I'm fizzing," Ryder said last night. "It's been a great few weeks. I've been told to play my shots and that's what I'm doing, just expressing myself."
Express away, old son. Quick hands and ferocious power were the hallmarks of an innings which in time might come to be remembered as the launchpad for a memorable international career.
He hit 26 in one 10-ball burst and delivered the perfect answer to those who have questioned the selectors' wisdom. Ryder had a couple of lives, he was dropped on nine at first slip off Ryan Sidebottom; then the same bowler put down a return catch just before the end of the match.
The pair set New Zealand's highest stand for any wicket against England, overtaking Martin Crowe and Geoff Howarth's 160 at Eden Park in 1984.
England's bowling figures were embarrassing but they could have no complaints, and that followed a miserable effort with the bat, after being sent in.
There were three run outs - mirroring their effort in Wellington - including captain Paul Collingwood first ball and opener and top scorer Alastair Cook.
But in between, there could have been more. On this showing, and backed by the evidence of Wellington, you wouldn't back this lot to run to the corner shop.
England were sailing along at 85 for two from 15 overs. Cook looked in decent touch, and Kevin Pietersen was on song, taking 14 in three successive Chris Martin deliveries.
The rain put a squelch in England's innings. From the time Pietersen went lbw to Michael Mason nine balls after the resumption, England lost eight wickets for 68 in 112 deliveries.
Collingwood's run out was decisive. He edged Mason to third man, tried to make a dicey second and was beaten by Jacob Oram's superb throw. Cook simply gave up after being sold up the creek by Ravi Bopara's call.
"We let ourselves down. We are very, very hurt by our performance," Collingwood said.
