Cricket World Cup: Hitting out against Scots has put NZ in ideal spot for quater finals

Black Caps pose for a team photo. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand's pursuit of the run rate in their three-wicket win over Scotland delivered an unconvincing scorecard but represented a logical strategic gambit in the bigger scheme of the tournament.

The result looks closer than it was because New Zealand lost two wickets with 10 runs required when Corey Anderson and Luke Ronchi went for heaves trying to finish the match as early as possible. There was no foreseeable harm when, according to International Cricket Council rules, net run rate is the most important factor after points and wins as to where a team ranks in their pool. Wickets mean nothing against that over-riding premise.

It looked cavalier - coach Mike Hesson opted for "untidy" - but completing the result in 24.5 overs built in a margin for error as pool play proceeds.

Hesson stressed that in the last 30 ODIs, which essentially includes matches after the 3-0 loss to Bangladesh in November 2013, they have been a "decent batting unit" so there's no need to panic.

"After two [World Cup] matches we're in a good spot," Hesson said.

"We won the game and got our net run rate up; those were the two objectives. To win in less than 25 overs is significant, even if we would have liked to have done it with three or four down. We could have got there none down in 30 overs and been worse off. It's crucial where we finish [in the pool] to ensure we rank high for the quarter-finals."

The hidden benefit to the victory might have been that the New Zealand bowlers had a work-out of between six (Trent Boult) and 8.2 (Daniel Vettori) overs without over exerting themselves, but still dismissed Scotland inside 37 overs.

Otherwise you could argue - with the glorious benefit of hindsight - that had they batted first and posted 300 at a run rate of six runs per over, and dismissed Scotland for 148 or less, it would have created a bigger run rate differential than racing to 146 for seven at a rate of 5.87.

Grant Elliott was asked if social media references to the chase being "reckless" or "careless" bothered him.

"If it was a common trend it'd be a concern but, over the past two months, there's been a lot of consistency."

Elliott quipped he felt "reckless" getting out for 29 off 31 balls.

New Zealand have earned the right to allay fears over their credibility but the result serves as a caution the team will coast through the tournament.

To intensify matters, England will be smarting from their opening 111-run trouncing by Australia. Tomorrow's match shapes as pivotal to both sides' momentum.

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