Photo via The Times of India

Back in ODIs, Finn Allen looks to adapt in middle-order

Finn Allen, New Zealand’s aggressive opener, is set to return to One Day Internationals after a three-year absence, with the Black Caps testing his versatility in the middle order during their upcoming series against India. The 27-year-old, who last played an ODI in 2023, has been included in the squad for the fourth and fifth matches, where he could face opposition spinners and target bowlers in the fifth or sixth over.

Allen, who has scored 582 runs in 22 ODIs at an average of 27.71—including five half-centuries—has expressed enthusiasm for the challenge, emphasizing the need to adapt his tempo while maintaining his attacking approach. He highlighted the importance of adjusting to field restrictions and rotating strike effectively, particularly after the powerplay, where fewer fielders are allowed outside the circle.

With Kane Williamson’s retirement reshaping New Zealand’s top order, Allen has avoided pressure to replace the former captain, instead focusing on refining his technique and leveraging experience from domestic and league cricket to better control his innings in the 50-over format.

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