Wellington Firebirds’ new batting sensation Finn Allen has been called up for the New Zealand squad for the T20Is against Bangladesh. The 21-year-old has had a brilliant start to his domestic career and that has allowed him to get a maiden call-up for the national side. The side is missing six players who are going to feature in the upcoming season of IPL. 

Allen, himself will fly to India as he has been named as the replacement of Josh Philippe for the Royal Challengers Bangalore side. Lockie Ferguson, who is a part of the Kolkata Knight Riders, is also back in the side after being sidelined with a back injury since December last year. Adam Milne also returned to the side after being out of international cricket for more than two years due to various kinds of injuries. 

Tim Southee, who has been in charge of the T20I team previously, has been named the captain once again in absence of Kane Williamson. Apart from Williamson, few other players who have been rested for this series are Trent Boult, Mitchell Santner, Kyle Jamieson, Jimmy Neesham, and Tim Seifert. All these players have an IPL contract with reputed teams.

Devon Conway to look after wicketkeeping role in presence of Finn Allen

As a matter of fact, Milne will also feature in the IPL for Mumbai Indians. He along with Ferguson and Allen will fly straight to India after the T20I series against Bangladesh ends. Allen made a name for himself by scoring 512 runs for the Firebirds in the Super Smash 2021. His form also ensured him a spot in RCB’s team. 

Will Young, who made his Test and ODI debut during this season itself, has also got a call-up for the national team. Another development that has taken place is around wicketkeeping. Even with Allen’s presence, the selectors have named Devon Conway to start in the role in the absence of Tim Seifert. On the other hand, Santner’s absence has made selectors choose Ish Sodhi and Todd Astle, both leg-spinners, in the squad. 

The three-match T20I series will be played between March 28 and April 1. The three matches will be played in Hamilton, Napier, and Auckland. 

New Zealand’s T20I squad: Tim Southee (c), Finn Allen, Todd Astle, Hamish Bennett, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway (wk), Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Ish Sodhi, Will Young