With a record-breaking season in Australia’s Big Bash League under his belt, Black Caps opener Finn Allen appears poised to lead New Zealand’s charge at next month’s Twenty20 World Cup in India.
Despite playing for a Perth Scorchers side stacked with Australian internationals, Allen has been the standout as histeam booked their place in another Big Bash League (BBL) final by defeating the Sydney Sixers on Tuesday night.
In 10 games this season, the 26-year-old has hammered 430 runs, second only to former Australian international David Warner. However, with a final still to play, Allen will take top spot if he can manage four or more.
Most impressively, Allen has scored at a whopping strike rate of 186.14 runs per 100 balls, while his 37 sixes represent the most any player has hit in a single BBL season.
But while he has shown glimpses of how destructive he can be, consistency has always been Allen’s main detraction – until now.
That success, though, will come at a cost for the Black Caps and see Allen arrive in India late, as his teammates warm up for the World Cup with five T20s against their hosts.
As he prepares for his maiden tournament with New Zealand, Black Caps coach Rob Walter has always maintained he wants to see his players in top leagues, even if that comes at the expense of playing internationally.
And even as he makes an effort to halt any expectations on Allen for the World Cup, Walter is relishing having him at the top of the order when the Black Caps begin their tournament against Afghanistan in Chennai on February 8.
“I hope you haven’t put the mockers on him,” the coach joked. “Conditions in Australia are a little bit different to India, I hope we can all appreciate that.
“However, there’s a lot to be said for arriving with confidence. Some of the stuff he’s done over the last couple of weeks has been immense. It’s been awesome to watch.
“He’s brimming with confidence and this game is very much about confidence, and understanding your percentage of success is a bit lower in this format than the others.
Black Caps opener Finn Allen has been in top form for the Perth Scorchers in Australia's Big Bash League. Photo / Photosport
“But he’s found relative success in this format, I hope that continues. If he does get going and can be as brutal as he’s been in the last little while, it sets you up in a great way.
“We’re certainly very excited that he’s going to arrive very confident in his own game.”
Allen is no stranger to World Cups. In 2022, his 16-ball 42 proved to be a sucker-punch for hosts Australia, which effectively knocked them out of their own tournament in an 89-run win for New Zealand.
Now, four years on, the Black Caps will hope that Allen’s increasing maturity will see him able to repeat that dose, as New Zealand hunt a maiden title.
The praise on Allen extends far beyond his coach, too. International teammate Lockie Ferguson, who missed his own BBL campaign with the Sydney Thunder through injury, is one of many who’s kept an eye on Allen’s tournament.
“Finn’s flying isn’t he?” Ferguson said. “He’s the kind of player who rides confidence. He’s been dominating that league. I’m sure that’ll continue for us in India.
“He’s had some challenges, but he’s also had a lot of success. The role he plays is taking on the other team, it’s not always going to come off.
“But, as you can see now, he’s becoming more and more mature with his game. He understands what shots work for him, and at what times. The confidence he’s taking from the Big Bash is huge.”
Alex Powell is a sports journalist for the NZ Herald. He has been a sports journalist since 2016.
