NZ media hails team for ODI rout of "wobbling world champs"

Wellington: Describing India as the "wobbling world champions", the New Zealand media on Saturday 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. 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 tomorrow at Whangarei before the two-match Test series begins in Auckland from February 6.