Black Caps win: How the English media reacted

New Zealand's BJ Watling raises his bat at close of play and after reaching 100 on the third day of the second Test match between England and New Zealand at Headingley. Photo / AP.

What a collapse.

British media optimism about the state of the English cricket team has crashed after New Zealand's impressive win at Headingley. Meanwhile, the New Zealand team lives in danger of being crushed by the weight of praise, although there was a barb aimed at the new spin twins.

Scyld Berry, in the Telegraph, wrote: "One country in the two-Test series is all ready and equipped to take on Australia. If only it were England.

"They could hardly have played more wretchedly..."

Berry said England had been confronted by the "brilliant strategy and tactics of Brendon McCullum. Never have New Zealand had a match-winning pair of world-class spinners until this game, or that is what England made Mark Craig and Kane Williamson resemble."

Praise indeed, of a sort.

The Independent headline mocked England's claim they would press for victory. "England's bold boast turns into hot air and humiliation."

Stephen Brinkley said "throughout the five days of the second test they (New Zealand) played in an aggressive, marauding style, before which their opponents wilted."

Mike Selvey, in the Guardian, wrote "England have swerved alarmingly from the sublime at Lord's, if not to the ridiculous, then to the far from sublime at Headingley.

""New Zealand simply overwhelmed them...if McCullum was outgunned by (Alastair) Cook at Lord's, then there was scarcely a thing that he touched here that did not bring its rewards."

He described Trent Boult as "as skilful a left-arm paceman as there is in the game."