The 38-year-old has ended any chance of a Black Caps return. Video / Michael Craig
Without a national central contract, and currently off travelling the globe as a Twenty20 gun for hire, Black Caps coach Gary Stead hopes New Zealand cricket hasn’t seen the last of Finn Allen.
In an age when international cricket risks being usurped by the pull of the shortest format, Allen’s decision to not take up a central contract to chase franchise opportunities should set off alarm bells within the walls of the national organisation.
While opting out of contracts in the past was a move primarily taken by players in the final stages of their careers and after one final payday, Allen is still just 25, with his best years still ahead of him.
However, as seen with Trent Boult playing three World Cups across two formats since giving back his contract in 2022, selection is clearly fluid for the Black Caps selectors.
Speaking after the Champions Trophy squad was named, Stead outlined that contract status was not the be-all and end-all of who was picked to head to Pakistan and the UAE, Allen included.
But as cricket continues to shift further towards a split between club and country, unless the game’s powerbrokers can do anything to offset the huge sums of money on offer, Stead is open to Allen donning the black cap once again.
“Finn’s an incredible talent,” said Stead. “Yes, he’s plying his trade in the T20 leagues at the moment.
“But we’ve still seen him in the domestic competitions here. Who knows what the future may bring?
“The landscape of cricket has shifted in the last 24 months. Who knows what it’ll look like in 24 months’ time?”
Allen’s place in the side can be put down to form just as much as it is his employment status. The explosive opener plays in a way in which consistency will be hard to find.
However, when it does come off, having a player who can do what Allen does – especially in the shorter formats – is a luxury any coach in the world would crave.
In 2022, Allen struck 42 runs from just 16 balls to open New Zealand’s campaign at the T20 World Cup, against hosts Australia in Sydney.
Elsewhere, both Kane Williamson and Devon Conway are also part of the selected 15, despite holding casual agreements with New Zealand Cricket, meaning they would be available for the Black Caps when not involved in T20 franchise leagues.
Those two were both released from their contracts in the same period as Allen.
While Williamson and Conway were both afforded casual deals, in reflection to their importance across all three formats, the Herald understands Allen was not considered for one, due to the precedent it would set for younger players.
Finn Allen hitting it big for the Black Caps at University Oval. Photo / Photosport
At present, Allen is playing with the Perth Scorchers in Australia’s Big Bash League. After a difficult start, the opener has still made 162 runs from his eight innings at an average of just over 20, but a huge strike rate of over 190.
And yet despite his proclivity to chase opportunities in T20, and also having experienced life in England, India and even the USA, the statistics would show 50-over cricket to be Allen’s strongest format.
Allen has made 1875 runs in 61 List A games – which includes 22 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) – at an average of just shy of 32, with three centuries and 10 fifties.
In T20, admittedly from a sample size of 134 games, Allen has 3706 runs at an average of just under 29, also with three centuries.
But as Stead explained, other players are now ahead of him in the queue to represent New Zealand in the 50-over format.
“We’ve considered all players,” said Stead. “Finn was considered in the squad.
“But we think these guys are ahead of him in ODI cricket at the moment.”
New Zealand played just three ODIs in 2024, and have so far played just three more this year. Allen, meanwhile, has not played for the Black Caps since giving back his contract.
Alex Powell is an Online Sports Editor for the NZ Herald. He has been a sports journalist since 2016, and previously worked for both Newshub and 1News.
