'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 India this 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.

And while the India series – of which he’s only available to play games four and five – is still a long way away from the World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, it does still represent the first steps in a clear plan to see if Allen has what it takes to replicate his T20 performances in longer formats.

Finn Allen against South Africa at the T20 World Cup. Photo / Photosport

“It’s nice to be back,” he said. “It’s been a few years since being in the New Zealand side, I’m really looking forward to it.

“I love one-day cricket. It’ll be a bit of a change of mindset and something I’ll try to figure out over the next couple of weeks.

“I’d like to think I’ve come a long way, [when] you play a lot of high-level cricket around the world, you’d naturally hope you get better, the more exposed you get to international cricket too.

“The more experience [you have], you grow as a player, you understand your game a bit better. That’s even more important in one-day cricket.”

For two years, Allen has operated without a New Zealand Cricket central contract and has instead penned a casual contract that’s left him available to play for the Black Caps when it doesn’t clash with franchise opportunities around the world.

Finn Allen and Tim Seifert have formed one of the world's best T20 partnerships. Photo / Photosport

That, though, has given Allen the chance to learn from playing with and against some of the best players around the world, with stints in Australia, England, India, Pakistan and even the USA.

So much so, he’s just become the most expensive player in Australia’s Big Bash League history, by netting a $740,000 per year contract to join the Melbourne Stars.

Ferguson has a similar arrangement with New Zealand Cricket, with he and Allen both making no bones of how much they want to represent their country. And having played both with and against Allen in his travels, Ferguson knows exactly what he – and opening partner Seifert – bring to the table.

“[Allen] and Seif are the same, to be fair,” he said. “They had an amazing World Cup in India.

“It’s very difficult to be a power player and take some risks, you’re going to have some disappointments through that time with it not working out.

“But credit to both of them, they’ve stuck to what they know best. I have no doubt that will carry through into the one-day game.”

Crucially, then, the biggest question around Allen’s spot in the 50-over side remains where he’ll fit into the line-up.

Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway are all but locked in at the top of the order, however, Kane Williamson’s retirement does leave a hole at No 3.

However, Walter has also hinted at using Allen in the middle order, potentially in a finishing role.

But with his involvement in the five-match series still weeks away, Allen concedes he’s uncertain exactly where he’ll bat, and that no player will be able to replace what Williamson gave to the Black Caps in his 16-year career.

“I don’t know if you can compare me and Kane, that’s pretty tough to live up to. But I suppose we’ll chat more about roles and what that will look like closer to the time.”

Alex Powell is a sports journalist for the NZ Herald. He has been a sports journalist since 2016.