New Zealand pair smash Matthew Pinsent and James Cracknell's rowing world record

Saturday 28 July: A view of the action at Eton Dorney (GETTY IMAGES)

New Zealand pair Hamish Bond and Eric Murray smashed the world's best time, previously held by Matthew Pinsent and James Cracknell on the first day of rowing at the London Olympics.

Murray and Bond won their Olympic heat to qualify for the semi-finals with a victory in six minutes 08.50 seconds.

That time was almost six seconds quicker than the mark Pinsent and Cracknell set at the 2002 world championships in Seville, Spain.

The Kiwi pair are unbeaten since teaming up in 2009.

PA