Munro’s new approach
Colin Munro knew something needed to change after a bleak end to the last home summer with the bat.
It was the catalyst for a big mentality shift for the Black Caps’ limited overs opener and his newfound batting philosophy has resulted in a purple patch of form.
Renowned for going after the opening bowlers, sometimes to his detriment, the punishing left-hander has grown to appreciate he can give himself time to get set, even in Twenty20 cricket.
A smarter, vastly-improved Munro flourished in the Caribbean T20 Premier League, finishing as the competition’s leading run-scorer for the title-winning Trinbago Knight Riders.
He amassed 567 runs from 13 innings at an average of 51.54 and strike rate of 140, which included six fifties.
His match-winning 68 not out from 39 balls, batting at three, in the final against the Guyana Amazon Warriors was further evidence of his encouraging progress.
Munro’s consistency with the bat will be music to the ears of new Black Caps coach Gary Stead, ahead of his first tour in charge, Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates, beginning on October 31.
‘‘The way I went about my innings over there wasn’t just the old Colin Munro that comes in and hits 30 off 10 balls,’’ Munro told Stuff.
‘‘It was sometimes very measured and I had to play according to the conditions. I’ve taken a lot off that and making sure that I know I can catch up [with scoring runs].’’ Munro’s mantra is the first 15 to 20 balls of an ODI innings is pivotal for getting a gauge of the pitch, how much the ball is swinging, and what bowlers are doing.
While that might sound simplistic, he battled to stick around for even an over in last summer’s home ODI series against England, lasting four balls or less in four of the five matches.
Munro was a walking wicket and overthinking batting, making it more complicated than needed.
Munro shelved red ball cricket at the end of the last home summer to concentrate on the limited over forms and enhance his prospects of playing at the 2019 Cricket World Cup.
Producing match-winning knocks in the CPL, rather than merely starts, was another positive sign for the 31-year-old.
He posted solid numbers for Hampshire in the England T20 competition prior to the CPL, notching 211 runs at 26 and two half centuries from eight innings.
Munro believed his performances with Trinbago, whose side included his mentor and former Black Caps skipper Brendon McCullum, was a breakthrough moment for him.
Munro departs for the UAE today, where he will play for the Herschelle Gibbs-coached Balkh Legends in the inaugural Afghanistan T20 Premier League.
All matches will be staged at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in the UAE, rather than Afghanistan, due to security concerns.
He will then link with the New Zealand squad ahead of three T20s and three ODIs against Pakistan. Three tests conclude the tour.
Motivation isn’t lacking as Munro attempts to push his World Cup selection claims. It is a tournament he is desperate to be at after missing the 2015 version, cohosted by Australia and New Zealand.
‘‘Quite frankly, that’s my main goal.’’