Form makes Allen likely pick to face Australia in T20 series
FINN ALLEN has to be one of the names you scribbled down for the Black Caps T20 side — surely.
The Wellington opener has been in sublime form in the Super Smash.
He had scored nearly 500 runs leading into today's final and plundered those runs at a strike rate of almost 200.
That is unheardof success and and he shouldn’t be left out of the 13strong squad for the series against Australia.
But stranger things have happened.
Devon Conway cannot get a run in the test side and he has been brilliant for years, whereas Allen is a newcomer.
The 21yearold has scored 87 in a onedayer against India A last year though, so he has performed at a higher level and his brilliance has been obvious.
But if he makes the squad, who doesn't?
Martin Guptill perhaps?
The selectors have shown some willingness to jettison experienced players.
Ross Taylor was left out of the T20 squad for the series against Pakistan. Is Guptill next?
The 34yearold righthander is nowhere near the top of his game and could only make the squad based on previous form.
But that previous form has been pretty special and it would not be a surprise if he gets an opportunity to play his way out of a slump.
The other big question surrounding the top order is will Kane Williamson play a full part in the series.
He has been nursing an elbow complaint.
Williamson was talking tough last week and declared he would
be fit. But he has a lot of important cricket ahead of him this year.
If he skips a game or two the world would not implode. And it would free up space which would allow for both Guptill and Allen to play, or perhaps Taylor
could be brought back to bolster the experience.
Whatever the outcome, Tim Seifert, Conway and Glenn Phillips have cemented their spots in the batting order.
Conway is averaging 58 in six games, Phillips clobbered a cen
tury against the West Indies recently and Seifert has been dynamic with the bat and has improved with the gloves.
The next question for the selectors is whether allrounder Jimmy Neesham has done enough to keep his starting spot ahead of the returning Colin de Grandhomme and the inform Daryl Mitchell.
There is probably room for two but not three of them in the squad.
The bowling lineup is easier to pick.
Ink in Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee and Trent Boult, while Scott Kuggeleijn will continue to keep a seat warm on the bus until Lockie Ferguson recovers from an injury.
Otago's Jacob Duffy made a stunning international debut in game one against Pakistan but is in a long queue. Provincial teammate and wrist spinner Michael Rippon will have to continue waiting as well.
Ish Sodhi and Mitchell Santner are the preferred slow bowling options and Canterbury's Todd Astle is the backup.
THE doubledouble is on.
Wellington is chasing backtoback Super Smash titles in both the women's and men's competitions at the Basin Reserve today.
Only Canterbury stands in the way in both fixtures.
Last season the Wellington Blaze went undefeated to claim the women's crown.
The Kerr sisters Jess (20) and Amelia (18) picked up 38 wickets between them and occupied the top two spots in the wickettaking column.
Deanna Doughty (17) and Leigh Kasperek (15) placed third and fourth respectively, while star opener Sophie Devine swatted 369 runs at a strike rate of 184.50 and average of 52.71.
It was an utterly dominating performance, but the Blaze has not been as convincing this season.
It dropped three games during the roundrobin. One of those was early on when Devine was unavailable.
But the loss which stung the most was the ninewicket defeat to Canterbury at the Basin on January 25.
Amy Satterthwaite blasted 71 not out from 50 deliveries to help her side clinch a comfortable victory.
She shapes as the key wicket for Wellington, while experienced Canterbury allrounder
Frankie Mackay has picked up 19 wickets with her rightarm offbreaks at miserly run rate of 4.87.
Pace bowler Lea Tahuhu has proven had to get away as well.
Canterbury might just shape as the favourites.
Not so in the men's tournament. The Wellington Firebirds have slipped up just once this season — although it was against Canterbury, who have perhaps been a little underrated.
For once Devon Conway (362 runs at an average of 51.71) has had to concede the limelight. Finn Allen has stepped out of the shade and blasted a tournamenthigh 496 runs at a strike rate of 196.04.
He has whacked six 50s so far, and must have got himself into contention for the national side.
Those two have been so good hardly anyone else has had much of a bat, which could be a concern should they miss out in the final.
Veteran Hamish Bennett has been the best of the Wellington seamers with 13 wickets.
But arguably Canterbury has a betterbalanced attack.
The Kings have solid spin options in Todd Astle and Cole McConchie. Both have been among the most economical bowlers in the tournament.
Black Caps seamer Matt Henry has nabbed 14 wickets and has been wellsupported by international allrounder Daryl Mitchell (10 wickets), Ed Nuttall (9 wickets) and Will Williams (7 wickets).
Canterbury's batting lineup perhaps lacks some Xfactor. But the team has fought hard and found ways to win games.
Mitchell has scored more than 300 runs, Chad Bowes is dangerous on a good day and McConchie has played some crucial knocks.