McClenaghan keen
At a glance
Mitchell McClenaghan still has a strong desire to pull on his black cap and represent New Zealand in Twenty20 cricket. The 31-year-old pace bowler hasn’t played a Twenty20 international for New Zealand since March 30, 2016, despite doing the rounds in domestic T20 competitions and always excelling in the wicket-taking column.
Today, McClenaghan launches his latest business venture, a F45 gym in Howick, Auckland, which will take his attention as he waits for cricketing opportunities to come his way.
He hopes that will include another New Zealand cap at some point in the near future, but understands he hasn’t been in the best form of late.
‘‘I’m still available for New Zealand,’’ McClenaghan said. ‘‘It seems to be the misconception out there at the minute that I’m not available.’’
In 2017, McClenaghan handed in his New Zealand contract to focus on Twenty20 cricket, a way he thought would ensure his readiness for international Twenty20s.
‘‘To be fair, I’ve had a couple of bad overs recently which hasn’t probably made it look like I’m in great form, so I understand if they’re leaving me out based on form.
‘‘I’ve still got passion for New Zealand cricket but, as it was spelled out to me quite clearly, the likelihood of me playing in any format for New Zealand other than T20 is very little, so for me, when I made the decision, it was about me making sure I can always work on my T20 skills which are completely different [to longer formats].
‘‘The thinking was to keep putting myself in the frame to play T20 cricket for New Zealand. Once you stop playing T20 cricket those skills disappear very quickly.’’
The transition to Twenty20 specialist has been tough at times, but also rewarding.
McClenaghan was the fourth top wicket taker in the 2017 IPL with the Mumbai Indians, taking 19 at a strike rate of just 17.05.
But when the 2018 IPL auction rolled around, McClenaghan didn’t have even the hint of a bid for his services, meaning he will have to wait on any calls as a replacement player.
Twenty20 is a fickle game, and while McClenaghan had a tough time of it in the Big Bash, a big performance could always be just around the corner.
‘‘It happens all the time. We saw that with New Zealand’s best bowler at the minute in Trent Boult,’’ McClenaghan said.
‘‘[Against England] he took 2-46 and that’s T20 cricket. Like we’ve seen in the past, in another game he’ll go out and get 3-28, you know, winning you a