Cricket: NZ are masters at cutting to the chase

Kane Williamson was instrumental in establishing a decent base to New Zealand's eventual chase against Sri Lanka at Nelson's Saxton Oval on Tuesday. Picture / Getty Images

Closing out victory now becoming second nature to tenacious team

Cricket loves breaking barriers. Can anyone bowl at more than 160km/h? Tick. Can someone score a one-day international century in less than Corey Anderson's 36 balls? Tick. Will India break the 500-run barrier against Zimbabwe in an ODI at Eden Park on March 14? Pending.

With a view to the World Cup there is one barrier in which New Zealand lead the way since Mike Hesson assumed the coaching reins.

When a chasing team gets beyond 250, New Zealand are the best in the world at closing out victory.

On the five occasions New Zealand have been asked to achieve the feat since August 2012, they've had success in four, completing each task with more than an over to spare. The exception was finishing all out for 253 in reply to England's 287 for six in 2013.

Some will argue extenuating circumstances. Certain parts of the world are less conducive to big totals because of lower, slower wickets or bouncier, pacier pitches. However, most contemporary one-day international wickets tend to be homogenised with pitches full of runs. The World Cup blocks are not expected to be exceptions to that rule. The benchmark being wafted around pre-tournament is that scores in excess of 280 will be required to imbue bowlers with any sort of confidence during the second innings.

In essence, the figures mean that provided New Zealand establish a decent base to their chase and build steadily during the middle overs, they have more composure and tenacity than any other country to finish the job. It is handy knowledge to insure against any form of revolving-door contagion in the dressing room.

Monday against Sri Lanka provided a definitive example. Kane Williamson set the platform with 103 off 107 balls and Luke Ronchi finished the task with 32 off 15 balls, including 24 from the 48th over.

"With 25 runs required off three overs we were confident but always thought it'd come down to the end," Hesson said. "We never thought it'd be a case of winning with 11 balls to spare. Luke's a power player and can score anywhere around the field so I'm sure he'll get loads of confidence doing that under pressure."

Williamson concurred: "There was so much cricket to go with three overs left, but the way 'Ronch' played was outstanding. He took all the pressure off."

Corey Anderson, Nathan McCullum and Daniel Vettori are other capable candidates when it comes to completing chases in the vicinity of a blowtorch.

New Zealand has used a similar modus operandi in the three other victory examples against India and England at Hamilton and Pakistan at Sharjah. Williamson or Ross Taylor provided stability to the 34th over mark or beyond, then the closers assumed control.

New Zealand's position compares strongly against what has been achieved by other countries during Hesson's tenure. Australia have the next best record once they chase beyond 250, winning 78 per cent of the time, while South Africa and the West Indies have the worst tendencies to crumble at 29 per cent. With South Africa's outstanding batting line-up, including AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla and Faf du Plessis, this will be a concern as they head into the World Cup as one of the favourites.