'I've come a long way': Allen firms as Black Caps' World Cup weapon

Back in the Black Caps’ One-Day International plans, Finn Allen looms as New Zealand’s not-so-secret weapon in preparations for the 2027 Cricket World Cup.

Allen, with Tim Seifert and Lockie Ferguson, has been named in an extended 21-man squad for the Black Caps’ five-match One-Day International (ODI) series with Indiathis month and is in line to wear the silver fern in 50-over cricket for the first time since 2023.

But with Ferguson and Seifert in their late and mid-30s respectively, Allen’s selection looms as the most intriguing for Black Caps coach Rob Walter.

Despite a modest record in ODIs, averaging just under 27 from his 22 matches, with no centuries, the 27-year-old’s showings in Twenty20 cricket prove he’s more than capable of performing against the best in the world.

While consistency isn’t and never will be his game, three centuries in T20 cricket – the most recent of which came in a World Cup semi-final win over South Africa – prove Allen can perform on the biggest stages.