Cricket: Colin Munro drafted into IPL

Hard-hitting Auckland batsman Colin Munro has been handed the opportunity of a lifetime, being drafted into the Indian Premier League by the Mumbai Indians. Brett Phibbs.

Hard-hitting Auckland batsman Colin Munro has been handed the opportunity of a lifetime, being drafted into the Indian Premier League by the Mumbai Indians.

The one-test batsman has been called in to replace injured Australian opener Aaron Finch, while Mumbai's New Zealand allrounder Corey Anderson is returning home ahead of the tour to England in May to nurse a finger injury.

The Indians, who are coached by Australian legend Ricky Ponting and have Shane Bond as bowling coach, sent out an SOS to Munro who has flown to Wellington to try to secure a visa. A best-case scenario would see him fly to India on Sunday afternoon.

Munro, 28, was in prolific form for Auckland at the end of the domestic season, albeit wearing whites.

In his last four matches he scored 62, 137, 3, 14, 108, 8 and a blistering 281 against Central Districts in Napier. His innings was scored off just 167 balls and included a staggering, world-record 23 sixes.

The left-hander is a noted T20 exponent, having turned out 14 times for New Zealand, double the amount of one-day internationals he has played.

In 12 innings he averages 21.55 and scores at a strike rate of 130.2. In domestic T20 he averages 27 at a strike rate of 140.

Munro was not named in either the test or one-day squads to tour England recently.
It has been a mixed bag in the IPL so far for the New Zealanders. Brendon McCullum lit up the tournament with a brilliant unbeaten 100 for Chennai, but has fallen away in the last couple of matches. Anderson was in strong form with the bat before getting injured, but Kane Williamson has had limited opportunities at Hyderabad Sunrisers.

Munro's soon-to-be teammate Mitchell McClenaghan has played just one match, while Tim Southee has taken three wickets in four matches for Rajasthan Royals and Trent Boult five in three games for Hyderabad.

Adam Milne has taken no part due to injury, while Matt Henry is waiting for his first opportunity at Chennai.