Jesse Ryder announced his international arrival in resounding style but Brendon McCullum would not be upstaged as New Zealand pounded England into submission to win the rain affected second one-day international by 10 wickets at Seddon Park last night.
A devastating display of power hitting by the duo allowed New Zealand to motor past England's woefully inadequate 158.
Even though the Duckworth Lewis system increased the Black Caps' target by seven runs, it was purely academic, with the belligerent openers rewriting the record books as the home side romped to a 2-0 series lead.
Their unbroken stand of 165 in just 18.1 of the 36 allowable overs eclipsed the New Zealand record for all wickets against the English, exceeding the 160 compiled by Martin Crowe and Geoff Howarth at Eden Park in 1984.
The milestones came thick and fast as Ryder and McCullum peppered the boundaries and, on seven occasions, the crowd.
Ryder, in his second ODI, was named man of the match on the back of a captivating 79 studded with 11 boundaries and two sixes - there was even intelligent placement when required as he reached 50 off 39 deliveries.
McCullum hit an unbeaten 80, off a mere 47 balls, ending the contest prematurely with his eighth boundary.
He chalked up his 50 off 27 balls, with an audacious reverse sweep bringing up his 10th ODI half-century.
After a resurgent bowling performance proved the catalyst for England losing its last eight wickets for 73 runs in 20 overs after a 2.5hr rain delay, Ryder and McCullum smashed the English attack with a contemptuous hitting display reminiscent of Craig McMillan's assault during the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy finale at the same ground 12 months ago.
McCullum was party to that stunning eclipse of 346 and last night had another pugnacious ally alongside as New Zealand complemented its comfortable six-wicket win in Wellington on Saturday with an even more effortless run chase.
New Zealand made the first 50 off 39 balls, a relatively pedestrian rate compared with what was to follow as the pair plundered a bemused attack that drew ironic applause from their supporters on the rare occasion they delivered a dot ball.
Needing to emulate its host's performance with the ball, England never threatened, and when McCullum was dropped off the first legitimate delivery he faced by keeper Phil Mustard, and Ryder was missed at slip by Owais Shah when eight runs into his assault, the tourists were destined to pay dearly for those let-offs.
Michael Mason's impressive pace bowling display against England at Seddon Park last night has been tempered by an arm injury that has placed him in doubt for the potential one-day series decider at Eden Park, Auckland, on Friday.
Mason was an integral member of a Black Caps attack that limited England to 158 all out.
Mason took two for 29 off seven overs. Mason strained a muscle in the armpit of his bowling arm during the last over of his spell and walked off for treatment.
Wellington's Iain O'Brien has been called into the squad as cover though he will still play for his province in the State Shield one-day match against Otago at the Basin Reserve today.
Auckland all-rounder Paul Hitchcock, who has not played since the second twenty/20 match in Christchurch last Thursday, has also been released to face Canterbury at Eden Park's outer oval, also today.
