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'New Zealand blew the wobbling world champions off the park'

Describing India as the "wobbling world champions", the New Zealand media has hailed the Black Caps' comprehensive 4-0 win over the visiting side in the just-concluded five-match ODI series. 

India slumped to their worst ODI series defeat in New Zealand after their crushing 87-run defeat in the inconsequential fifth and final ODI yesterday and the media here basked in the glory of a rare triumph by their national team. 

"The rout was completed in style. New Zealand's most complete one-day cricket series performance against quality opponents ended with some capital punishment in Wellington," a report in the Dominion Post said. 

"If games one and two were eye-rubbing upsets, then this was acceptance that New Zealand had blown the wobbling world champions off the park, sealing the series 4-0 with one tie," it said.

'Tales of New Zealand cricketing triumph tend to be rare'

A report in New Zealand Herald described the 4-0 rout of India the best in the country's cricketing history. 

"Tales of New Zealand cricketing triumph tend to be rare. The 4-0 one-day international series victory over world champions India is the best in the sport's shorter forms since the 3-0 Chappell-Hadlee trophy defeat of then-world champions Australia in February 2007," the report said. 

"The crowd's euphoria rained upon Brendon McCullum and his team, and deservedly so. Standing ovations were the order of the evening; fans know quality when they see it. The smiles were indelible." 

India play a two-day practice game against New Zealand XI from Sunday at Whangarei before the two-match Test series begins in Auckland from February 6.