When it comes to ODIs, the New Zealand Cricket Team has consistently performed well in recent decades. They were the finalists in Men’s ICC ODI World Cup in 2015 and just missed out on a well-deserved World Cup in 2019 when the Super Over also resulted in a Tie after their ODI World Cup Final against the Hosts England had resulted in a Tie. Many felt that they were a victim of some loopholes in the rules. After that, the Rules changed. For Example, now the Teams must play another Super Over if the first Super Over results in a Tie. New Zealand has produced some of the finest Batsmen in the World. Below are the Top 10 in terms of ODI Strike Rate, having scored a minimum of 1000 runs.
1. Luke Ronchi
Having played International Cricket both for Australia and New Zealand as a Wicket Keeper Batsman, Luke Ronchi scored 1321 runs off 1183 balls he faced in 66 Innings at an impressive strike rate of 111.66 in the 81 ODIs he played for New Zealand. He is the only batsman who has scored 150+ runs in an ODI Innings, batting at number 7. He scored 170* (99) in an ODI against Sri Lanka at Dunedin.
2. Corey Anderson
An attacking Left-Handed Batsman and a Left Arm Medium fast bowler, Corey Anderson scored 1109 runs off 1020 balls he faced in the 45 innings at a strike rate of 108.72 in the 49 ODIs he has played for New Zealand. His highest score in ODIs is 131* against the West Indies. He has also taken 60 Wickets in his ODI Career.
3. Colin Munro
Born in South Africa and playing in the Limited Overs International Cricket for New Zealand, Colin Munro has scored 1271 runs off 1214 balls he has faced in 53 Innings, at a Strike Rate of 104.69 in the 57 ODIs he has played for New Zealand. He was also a part of the New Zealand Under-19 Team.
4. Ian Smith
A dependable wicketkeeper and a steely batsman lower down the order, Ian Smith played for New Zealand in the 1980s and till 1992. He scored 1055 runs off 1061 balls he faced in 77 innings at a Strike Rate of 99.43 in the 98 ODI Matches he played for New Zealand. Now a Cricket Commentator, there were praises for Ian Smith for his Commentary in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019.
5. Jimmy Neesham
A practical all-rounder for the New Zealand Cricket Team, Jimmy Neesham was the one who hit a beautiful Six off Jofra Archer, flicking towards square leg in the Super Over clash in the ICC Cricket World Cup Final between New Zealand and England. He has scored 1320 runs in 1352 balls he has faced in 56 Innings at a reasonable Strike Rate of 97.63 in the 66 ODI Matches he has played for New Zealand.
6. Brendon McCullum
One of the most prolific Wicketkeeping Batsmen the World has ever witnessed, Brendon McCullum comes on the list of star-studded attacking openers like Virender Sehwag, Chris Gayle, Adam Gilchrist, Sanath Jayasuriya, and Matthew Hayden. He scored 6083 runs off 6312 balls in 226 Innings at a respectable Strike Rate of 96.37 in the 260 ODI Matches he played for New Zealand.
7. Jesse Ryder
In the last decade, one of the most promising attacking batters in New Zealand Cricket, Ryder was seen hitting the ball out of the park comfortably against good quality Indian Bowlers in one of India’s Tours to New Zealand. He scored 1362 runs off 1429 balls in 42 Innings at a Strike Rate of 95.31 in the 48 ODI Matches he played for New Zealand.
8. Nathan McCullum
Brother of Brendon McCullum, Nathan McCullum made his mark in International Cricket with quality Spin and good batting lower down the order in Limited Overs Cricket with some quality hitting. He scored 1070 runs off 1220 balls he faced in 62 Innings at a Strike Rate of 87.70 in the 84 ODIs he played for New Zealand.
9. Martin Guptill
Playing for the New Zealand Cricket Team in ODIs and T20Is for many years, Martin Guptill is an inspiration for many as he has had such a successful Cricketing Career despite having only 2 Toes on his left foot. He once scored a Double Hundred in ODIs. Guptill scored 237* against the West Indies in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 Quarter Finals. He has scored 7041 runs off 8036 balls faced in 186 Innings at a Strike Rate of 87.61 in 189 ODI Matches he has played up to date for New Zealand.
10. Jacob Oram
He has represented the New Zealand Cricket Team in all the three formats of Cricket: Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. Jacob Oram was a successful All-Rounder as a right-arm fast-medium bowler and a left-handed batsman for New Zealand in a Career spanning almost ten years between 2001 and 2012. Jacob Oram scored 2434 Runs off 2810 balls he faced in 116 Innings at a Strike Rate of 86.61 in the 160 ODIs he played for New Zealand.