Devon Conway is back in New Zealand colours, drafted in for the T20I tri-series in Harare after Finn Allen suffered a foot injury at Major League Cricket (MLC). The Black Caps face South Africa on Wednesday, then Zimbabwe, in a double round-robin that leads to a final on 26 July.
Head coach Rob Walter, only a fortnight into the job, accepted the setback with a shrug. “We’re really gutted for Finn,” he said. “I was looking forward to working with him and to see him continue his form from the MLC but unfortunately injuries happen. We’re lucky to be able to call on someone of Devon’s quality to replace Finn.”
Conway, 33 next month, last played a T20I at the 2024 World Cup but has stayed busy on the franchise circuit. He managed 135 runs in four games for Texas Super Kings this MLC season at a strike-rate just above 127, decent if not spectacular. His experience—45 T20 caps, an average north of 40—gives the top order a familiar anchor.
Cover for the MLC final
Four more names have been added as insurance. Mitchell Hay, Tim Robinson and the seasoned James Neesham will travel in case Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips or Rachin Ravindra are delayed by Sunday’s MLC final. Walter was upfront about the contingency plan. “We knew there’d be a possibility that a handful of players could be involved in the MLC final, so we’re bringing in Mitch, Jimmy and Tim as possible replacements.”
Santner captain, several senior men missing
All-rounder Mitchell Santner leads the side; Luke Ronchi, Jacob Oram and James Foster form the support staff. Regular skipper Kane Williamson has stayed in England with Middlesex, prioritising county runs and young family time. Fast bowler Lockie Ferguson is rested under workload guidelines, Kyle Jamieson awaits the birth of his first child, and Ben Sears nurses a side strain. It leaves a squad light on headline names yet stocked with white-ball professionals who know their roles.
Slightly experimental feel
Without Williamson’s classical stability or Ferguson’s pace, the group leans on Conway, Santner and Phillips for nous, while hoping youngsters such as Zak Foulkes and Bevon Jacobs adapt quickly to Harare’s slow, turning pitches. The venue’s altitude offers extra carry but also tests lungs; bowlers often end up one bouncer short.
Schedule and format
Each team meets the others twice before the top two contest the final. All matches are day-night fixtures at Harare Sports Club, where early-evening dew can skew tactics—spinners grip it, seamers prefer bowling first.
New Zealand squad
Mitchell Santner (capt), Devon Conway, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Bevon Jacobs, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Seifert (wk), Ish Sodhi, Mitchell Hay, James Neesham, Tim Robinson.
Numbers at a glance
• Conway’s career T20I average: 41. • Allen’s strike-rate in completed MLC season: 165. • New Zealand’s last T20I in Zimbabwe: August 2015.
Outlook
On paper New Zealand remain competitive, though the balance hinges on travel logistics from Dallas to Harare. If the MLC finalists arrive in time, the batting looks deep; if not, the replacement trio will have an early chance to impress a new coaching staff. Either way, the series serves as a gentle but useful lead-in to the 2026 T20 World Cup cycle—no hysteria, just incremental steps.
