Black Caps: Devon Conway recalled for Twenty20 tri-series as Finn Allen ruled out with injury

Devon Conway has been recalled for the Black Caps' Twenty20 squad, replacing injured batter Finn Allen. Photo / Photosport

Black Caps batter Devon Conway has been recalled for international duties, joining the Twenty20 squad for this month’s tri-series against Zimbabwe and South Africa.

The 34-year-old will join the T20 squad in Harare, Zimbabwe – replacing Finn Allen for the entire series after he was ruled out earlier this week with what the Black Caps said was a foot injury.

“We’re really gutted for Finn,” Black Caps coach Rob Walter said.

“I was looking forward to working with him and to see him continue his form from the MLC [American Major League Cricket competition] but unfortunately, injuries happen.”

Playing for the San Francisco Unicorns, Allen plundered a world-record 19 sixes en route to scoring 151 off just 51 balls against the Washington Freedom. At the time of selection last month, Allen was topping the run-scoring charts with 298 from five matches at an average of just under 60.

Walter said the Black Caps were “lucky” to be able to call on someone of Conway’s quality to replace Allen.

Conway’s last international T20 match was against Papua New Guinea at the T20 World Cup in June last year.

Meanwhile, Jimmy Neesham, Mitch Hay, and Tim Robinson have also been called upon as cover for several Black Caps set to play in the MLC final tomorrow.

Neesham, Hay and Robinson will join the squad as possible replacements for Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips and Rachin Ravindra.

Walter’s first assignment at the helm of the Black Caps will be against South Africa at 11pm NZT on Wednesday. The series will be broadcast free-to-air on Three Now.

Black Caps squad: Mitchell Santner (captain), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Bevon Jacobs, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi

Additional cover: Jimmy Neesham, Mitch Hay, and Tim Robinson

Black Caps tour of Zimbabwe schedule

T20 tri-series

Zimbabwe v South Africa. Monday 14 July, 11pm.​

South Africa v Black Caps. Wednesday 16 July, 11pm​.

Zimbabwe v Black Caps. Friday 18 July, 11pm​.

Zimbabwe v South Africa. Sunday 20 July, 11pm.​

Black Caps V South Africa​. Tuesday 22 July, 11pm.

Zimbabwe v Black Caps. Thursday 24 July, 11pm​.

FINAL (teams TBC). Saturday 26 July, 11pm​.

Tests

BLACKCAPS V Zimbabwe​. Wednesday 30 July, 8pm.

BLACKCAPS V Zimbabwe. Thursday 7 August, 8pm.

Benjamin Plummer is an Auckland-based reporter for the New Zealand Herald who covers sport and breaking news. He has worked for the Herald since 2022.