Cricket: Superior strike rates put Black Caps in strong position

Kane Williamson, left, celebrates reaching his century with Ross Taylor during the one day international cricket match against England. Photo / AP

The New Zealand cricket team's last two one-day internationals illustrate why strike rate - the number of balls between bowlers' wickets - has become a more important variable than economy rate in the 50-over format.

The team is preparing for a crack at winning the five-match series against England tomorrow (1am NZT) at Trent Bridge. They lead 2-1.

In the second ODI at the Oval, England were cruising towards 399 to win when rain interrupted. The hosts had 345 for seven; Liam Plunkett (38) and Adil Rashid (30) were set. The Duckworth-Lewis Method intervened and 54 runs from 37 balls became 34 runs from 13 balls when they returned.

If New Zealand had not taken as many wickets, such a strong position would have been diluted under the current fielding restrictions which prevent any more than four players being outside the 30m circle at any time. England subsequently lost two more wickets in the final 13 balls and lost by 13 runs.

In the third ODI at Southampton, England had eased to 288 for five in the 42nd over. A whopping total seemed imminent. However, within 22 balls their order was destroyed as New Zealand took five wickets for 14 runs. That left 28 unused balls on the shelf in the innings stocktake.

New Zealand's focus on wicket-taking rather than run-saving explains why six bowlers used since December feature in the top nine for strike rate in the country's ODI history (minimum 10 matches). Corey Anderson tops the list with a wicket every 23.5 balls, followed by Matt Henry (No2, 24.6), Mitchell McClenaghan (No4, 27.1), Grant Elliott (No7, 29.4), Jimmy Neesham (No8, 30.1) and Trent Boult (No9, 31.1).

None of those bowlers apart from Boult (4.64 runs per over) would earn commendations for their economy rates in this batsman-friendly era, but their contributions have changed the outcome of games in New Zealand's favour.

This is where Brendon McCullum's attacking captaincy also holds merit. If your bowlers lure edges and ask questions through variations, your team is in a position to win more.

The current team's mindset is to pursue wickets at any cost, given sides can regularly add 100 runs in the final 10 overs, and considerably more if they make profitable use of the preceding batting powerplay.

Vignettes like the Tim Southee/ Boult alley-oop catch at the Oval further exemplify how the team's attacking ethic has been infused into players' instincts regardless of the discipline.

• Ford, the driving force behind the Black Caps.