McCullum breaks a World Cup record

View Scorecard: New Zealand smash England

Brendon McCullum has blasted the fastest-ever half-century in a Cricket World Cup match as New Zealand destroyed England in Wellington.

The Black Caps skipper made light work of New Zealand's pursuit of 124 for victory, reaching his fifty from just 18 balls with a six over cover.

It was the third-fastest fifty in one-day international history - two balls short of AB de Villiers's record of 16 - and the fastest ever by a New Zealander.

McCullum eclipsed his own NZ record for the fastest ODI 50 - a 19-ball innings against Bangladesh in 2007 - and his own World Cup mark of 20 balls that he set against Canada in 2007.

His rampage against England's bowlers included four consecutive sixes off the bowling of Steven Finn, with the England quick's second over going for 29 as he finished with 0-49 from two overs.

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Brendon McCullum thrilled the home fans at the 'Cake Tin' ground in Wellington // Getty Images

McCullum was eventually bowled by Chris Woakes for 77 from 25 balls, with eight fours and seven sixes.

McCullum's innings came after Tim Southee helped rout England for just 123 with the best ever ODI figures by a New Zealand player, taking 7-33 from nine overs.

Today’s records (even more records here)

- Brendon McCullum reached his 50 from 18 deliveries, breaking the New Zealand (19 balls) and World Cup record for the fastest half-century, from just 18 balls. Amazingly, both those records had previously been held by McCullum.

- McCullum and Martin Guptill combined to take 29 runs from one Steve Finn over – the third-most ever by a New Zealand pair in ODIs.

- McCullum now has five ODI half-centuries from 21 balls or less – a number bettered by only Paksitani Shahid Afridi, with nine.

Match Report: Black Caps making Cup history