The statistics are a general guideline, taking into account the rough and smooth of matches where targets are reached easily versus those where teams don't complete their 50 overs.
However, in an area of the game perceived as pivotal to determining results, New Zealand are on the right side of the ledger over the past three months.
Death bowling theories are simple: bowl yorkers or back-of-a-length at the body to cramp batsmen. In practice, putting AB de Villiers, Tillakaratne Dilshan or Shahid Afridi in front of the stumps can make it a fickle business.
The trouble with the yorker is bowlers are aiming for the proverbial 50c piece.
Miss and they present a low full toss or a half-volley. Likewise, any width presented back-of-a-length and the ball can threaten the land-speed record to the boundary rope.
Batsmen also face pressure. Scoring eight runs an over is becoming the norm. Some teams, like New Zealand, have the capability to extend that beyond 10 runs per over on occasion.
Allrounders often become key players during such scenarios. New Zealand's Corey Anderson picked up man-of-the-match with 40 runs off 28 balls and four wickets for 52 in Dunedin on Sunday.
It was his second gong this series after guiding the hosts home with 81 off 96 balls in the opener at Christchurch.
Anderson identified the death overs as his focus, including recent bowling work on the topic with coach Shane Bond.
"It's easy to get carried away with hitting line and length but when time starts running out, that's when you can start missing [your targets]. You're a hero or a villain.
"My bowling hasn't been as up to scratch. It's more of an execution thing, missing my lines and lengths a couple of times and getting hit for one or two boundaries an over. Nullify that and I'll be all right.
"I feel like I'm in decent form seeing the ball [with the bat]. I showed myself in Christchurch that I can bat for a longer period and not lose my head.
"When I get to free the arms, it generally means we're in a good position."
Anderson acknowledged the Catch-22 that New Zealand haven't had a lot of testing in the death overs with the ball because of strong batting form, yet they don't want to manufacture such circumstances for fear of losing momentum.
"We probably need to get in a position where a couple of guys are in so we can test ourselves to finish it off in 47 or 48 overs, but we've generally nullified them with runs."
Anderson expected allrounders to become crucial to World Cup hopes. "We'll be playing on [batting] friendly wickets from what we've seen. With high scores, a useful four to five overs with the ball or 40-50 with the bat will provide an advantage."
Anderson singled out Aussies James Faulkner and Glenn Maxwell as well as Pakistan's Afridi as among those capable of making such a difference.
Six of world's best to watch out for
1. James Faulkner
AustraliaHas enjoyed an extraordinary start to his 37-match career, including a second-innings average of 109.50 with a Michael Bevan-esque eight not outs in 12. His 49 wickets - he gets one every 35 balls - complement an all-round picture.
2. Shahid Afridi
PakistanForget runs and wickets. Does any player have as much charisma? When he's not treating the ball as an entree, Afridi's strike rate of 116 from 389 ODIs, a 6:4 ratio of 1:2.08 and leg spinning grenades make him gifted.
3. Moeen Ali
England"The beard to be feared" has made an impact with darting off-spinners at a 4.86 economy rate and aggressive starts as an opener. Forthright in his political beliefs, he donned "Save Gaza" and "Free Palestine" wristbands last year in a test.
4. Ravindra Jadeja
IndiaAnyone at Eden Park ODI last summer remembers Jadeja as the key protagonist in the tie. He emulated the byline on his parody Twitter account "Form is temporary, I'm permanent". Even Shane Warne refers to him as "Rockstar".
5. Angelo Mathews
Sri LankaThe captaincy has elicited his best with a batting average of 47.81 compared with 34.72 and bowling average of 33.18 compared with 35.88 when he was "one of the boys". Athleticism and all-round composure make him a match winner.
6. Corey Anderson
New ZealandDelivered a 3D wagon wheel capable of doubling as a cast member in Arachnophobia with his once world-record ODI century from 36 balls last year. Has his moments with the ball, like the useful four for 52 on Sunday in Dunedin. Andrew Alderson
