New Zealand’s low-scoring victory at Bristol was just what both teams needed. The Black Caps finally managed to record their first win against England on tour, whilst the hosts get a timely reality check on their progress as a One Day team.

Despite their respective recent ODI form, England rightly think that they should beat this Kiwi team. However, this supposed superiority is more to do with New Zealand’s current shortcomings than their own prowess – England are not yet as good as they think they are.

England’s complacency has been a theme throughout my analysis of these teams’ battles over the last six months and is disheartening to see that it still remains. I have previously written how New Zealand were there for the taking, and this was particularly true at Bristol.

England could not deliver the killer blow, seeming to believe they could cruise to victory by playing within themselves.

At 49 for five after 21 overs, New Zealand, inserted in bowler-friendly conditions, looked dead and buried. Grant Elliott, called into the side from Surrey league cricket and the limited Gareth Hopkins were new at the crease and the home side were expected to bowl the Black Caps out.

James Anderson, – suffering one of his off-days - Stuart Broad and Chris Tremlett might have used 24 of their 30 over allocation at the halfway point, limiting the attacking threat, but England were still guilty of relaxing.

Fields were spread and Luke Wright, Graeme Swann and Collingwood were milked for easy singles. No Kiwi batsman apart from Brendon McCullum has looked capable of hitting over the top, yet Elliott was never asked to on the way to the only half century of the match.

A platform was built without pressure and Kyle Mills’ late blitz established a total that looked unobtainable earlier. The donation of runs and sloppy fielding gave the impression that England thought they could chase any target with ease; the way they approached their innings confirmed as much.

Nine players were out caught, reflecting loose strokeplay and a lack of application. New Zealand undoubtedly bowled well and were more urgent in the field than England, but the home side’s attempts at countering the moving ball in typical ‘English’ conditions were poor.

Only Ian Bell and Collingwood seemed to note that one sizeable contribution would clinch victory, yet they both also perished to risky shots. Ravi Bopara – still an underused strike swing bowler in international colours – played some nice strokes but still needs to tighten up at the highest level.

Collingwood and Peter Moores must be seething at the casual way England constructed their run chase, but they should also look at why New Zealand were allowed to reach 182.

It was a frustrating defeat for England’s followers and those who have baked them into firm favourites for this ODI series. They still look better-equipped to triumph, but need to accept that they are not as far in their development towards a good One Day team as they think.