New Zealand opener Finn Allen has been ruled out of the Major League Cricket (MLC) knock-out stage and the forthcoming T20 tri-series in Zimbabwe after injuring his right foot while turning out for San Francisco Unicorns.
“His recovery timeline will be determined once he returns to New Zealand and received further specialist consultations,” an NZC release confirmed on Tuesday. Allen is expected back in Auckland later this week, at which point medical staff will decide whether surgery is needed. A replacement for the tour will be named “in due course”, the same note added.
The setback ends a productive MLC campaign for the 25-year-old. Allen piled up 333 runs in nine innings, highlighted by a blistering 151 against Washington Freedom that remains the league’s highest individual score. His absence means the Unicorns, who meet MI New York in Wednesday’s Eliminator in Dallas, go into the play-offs without their leading power-play hitter. The franchise has elected not to draft a replacement, citing limited time and the restrictions of the tournament’s player-registration window.
Further disruption comes with Romario Shepherd’s departure. The West Indies all-rounder has flown home to join Guyana Amazon Warriors for the new Global Super League, leaving behind bowling figures of 8-0-55-8 and two handy cameos with the bat. Again, the Unicorns will not bring in cover.
From a New Zealand perspective the timing is awkward rather than disastrous. The tri-series—Zimbabwe, South Africa and the Black Caps—starts in Harare on 14 July, with New Zealand’s first fixture two days later. The management group still has Tom Blundell, Tim Seifert and Will Young as top-order options, though none offers Allen’s combination of raw pace and fearless intent in the first six overs.
Pace-bowling coach Shane Jurgensen was pragmatic when asked about potential reshuffles: “Injuries are part of the calendar now. Whoever comes in knows the brief—play positively and adapt to African conditions quickly.”
Allen’s longer-term targets include the Champions Trophy qualifiers in November and the northern-hemisphere winter tours. New Zealand hope a clear medical plan this month will ensure he is back in full training by early spring.
For now, though, the Unicorns and the Black Caps must do without one of their most belligerent strokemakers, while Allen faces an unwelcome spell on the physio’s table rather than at the crease.
