Captain Colly's England underdogs beginning to look like pedigree cricketers

So convincing have been England's two victories in the Twenty20 internationals which have launched this tour and so demoralised do New Zealand look already, that England must be favourites not only to win their third consecutive one-day series but win it in some style.

England have simply been in a different class, admittedly in the form of cricket most resembling a lottery, and go to Wellington brimming with confidence for the five-match series which starts in the early hours of tomorrow.

Meanwhile, their hosts appeared to score another own goal by refusing to promote their most impressive Twenty20 bowler into the 50-over squad.

Tim Southee is a 19-year-old fast bowler who has looked a real prospect both here and in Auckland, but he left today for the Under 19 World Cup in Malaysia rather than being added to a senior party desperately needing an infusion of youthful quality. The look of disappointment on the face of the Black Caps stand-in captain Brendon McCullum said it all.

No such worries for England. For a side who looked woeful in the World Twenty20 in South Africa late last year they have been a revelation, impressive in all departments in their comprehensive 50-run victory at a Lancaster Park ground which resembled a building site yesterday.

After Paul Collingwood won the toss, there was even a record opening partnership for England — admittedly it was only their 13th Twenty20 international — as Phil Mustard and Luke Wright gave the innings a launchpad.

And when England stalled in losing four wickets for 11 runs in 16 balls, culminating in the dismissal of Mustard for 40 off 24 balls when he should have gone on to a bigger score, Collingwood joined Owais Shah, consolidated and then added 102 in 63 balls, a record partnership for any English wicket in Twenty20.

Even in this frenetic form of the game there is room, it seems, for those middle overs, or middle deliveries in Twenty20, when the batsmen can take stock and knock the singles before again hitting top gear, as Collingwood did with 54 off 28 balls which included three sixes. Shah scored 47 off 35 balls, two sixes flying off his inventive bat.

Then England's bowlers, particularly the Heculean Ryan Sidebottom, made sure there was never the remotest hope of New Zealand getting near England's 193 for eight.

'There were so many positives tonight it's untrue,' said Collingwood. 'It was probably a better all-round performance than Tuesday. The opening batsmen hit the ball like we know they can but what really pleased us was the bowling which seems to get better with every game.

"If we were being really picky we could point to losing four quick wickets in the middle which wasn't ideal but we lifted the momentum from there really well.'

New Zealand looked meek rather than dangerous and will be hoping captain Daniel Vettori and Jacob Oram are fit to play in Wellington tomorrow as McCullum, who has seemed a reluctant and far from inspiring leader, clearly desires.

'They should be fit. I certainly hope so,' said McCullum. 'Today was very disappointing. We didn't fire a shot throughout the game. There's no shirking it, England hold all the cards at this point.'

England, meanwhile, need only to decide between Dimitri Mascarenhas and Ravi Bopara for the final place in their first 50-over team with Alastair Cook sure to return at the top of the order for Wright. If only New Zealand's problems were as simple.