Munro's ultra-aggressive approach bears fruit in T20I rankings

Colin Munro has a very simple game-plan when he bats. He stands still, watches the ball and swings hard. Recently it's all been clicking into place for the New Zealand opener, with his move to the top of MRF Tyres ICC T20I Batting Rankings preceded by a fruitful tri-series against Australia and England.

The left-hander smashed 176 runs in the Trans-Tasman series at a strike-rate of almost 210 – quite some going, even for Munro, who has made his name as an ultra-aggressive opener.

After posting scores of 3 and 11 in the opening two matches of the series, he came back strong, smashing 76 off 33 balls, 57 off 21 and 29 off 14 in succession. Although New Zealand ultimately lost out to Australia in the final, it was through no fault of their powerful left-hander.

It is his strike-rate that makes Munro stand out. Although he is bound to fail on occasion, when he doesn't the Blackcaps are invariably left in a commanding position.

His 57 against England on 18 February earlier in the series saw him reach his fifty in 18 balls – the third time out of seven T20I fifties that he has reached the mark in under 20 balls, of which his 14-ball fifty against Sri Lanka in 2016 was the high-water mark.

Munro's eye, ability to pick up length quickly and unselfish nature means he tends to hit top gear faster than other batsmen. No matter the situation, if it's there to hit he'll hit it.

But while it may look simple – short balls seized upon with flashing cut shots and crunching pulls and the kitchen sink thrown at anything in the arc – Munro has actually adapted his game in the last year or so.

"I've evolved in the last 12 to 18 months," he explained after New Zealand's win over Pakistan on 22 January. "I've tried to premeditate [my shots] in the shorter format, but while still reacting well."

That alteration has certainly been working. In January he became the first batsman to hit three T20I centuries with a 53-ball 104 against West Indies at Mount Maunganui.

Munro's approach means T20 cricket becomes as much about the mental side as the physical. The bowler knows Munro is going to be coming hard, so they end up trying to second-guess themselves. If they miss, they're likely to go the distance.

Munro has a T20I strike-rate of 163.59. He has struck 78 sixes and 85 fours in 42 innings, giving him a boundary percentage of 22.7%. Like fellow left-handed openers David Warner and D'Arcy Short – who came straight into the rankings at number 27 – Munro has a clearly defined role that he is very good at executing. He is very aware of what is expected of him.

"For me, as long as I'm doing what's best for the team – and that's going out there and scoring quick runs at the top of the order – then I'm happy," he said after dropping off top spot to fourth in the rankings back on 30 January.

Munro has stuck steadfast to his guns and been rewarded with a return to the summit of T20I batting rankings.