After handing back his deal in 2024, Allen signed a casual playing agreement last year, effectively leaving him to play for New Zealand when it doesn\u2019t clash with his franchise commitments.<\/p>\n
A similar arrangement has been agreed this year, with Allen also joined by Tim Seifert, Lockie Ferguson and Adam Milne.<\/p>\n
And while those deals aren\u2019t explicitly to be available for next year\u2019s World Cup \u2013 considering India\u2019s blockbuster all-format tour of New Zealand later this year \u2013 Larsen concedes the casually contracted players will come into consideration for the tournament, having expressed interest in playing in it.<\/p>\n
Finn Allen scores a century and celebrates with Rachin Ravindra during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Photo \/ Photosport<\/p>\n
\u201cAll four have got 50-over attributes, they\u2019ve proven that over the years,\u201d Larsen said. \u201cHow the schedule will pan out and what volume of 50-over cricket they can play will start to unfold.<\/p>\n
\u201cFinn is exceptionally talented, he\u2019s one of the best ball-strikers in the world. One of the questions will be role definition, is it at the top of the order? Would he be better suited in a finishing role? The same could be said for Tim Seifert. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe other thing to balance off there is we have a very successful ODI team as well. You take Kane out of that equation now, and you can argue there\u2019s gaps that are opening. But we\u2019ve also had a very strong batting line-up in the 50-over format. <\/p>\n
\u201cDoes the likes of a Finn or [Seifert] fit into that? Yes, possibly. But there\u2019s other emerging players around the country that will equally be given their opportunities to stake a claim as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
As a mark against Allen, he\u2019s had little success in the 22 ODIs he\u2019s already played, with a batting average of 27.71 and a high score of 96. On top of that, he\u2019s not played a 50-over match \u2013 domestic or international \u2013 since March 2025.<\/p>\n
And yet, as seen in T20 cricket, few players can match Allen at his best, with the skills he\u2019s acquired on the franchise circuit clearly having a positive impact.<\/p>\n
He would, though, face serious competition for a spot in the top order.<\/p>\n
Rachin Ravindra, Will Young, Devon Conway and Henry Nicholls have all successfully featured in the top three of the Black Caps order since the 2023 World Cup in India. Canterbury\u2019s Rhys Mariu has also debuted <\/a>as an eye to the future, while there are plenty of other players knocking the door down at domestic level.<\/p>\n While there have been no specific conversations between Allen, Larsen or Black Caps coach Rob Walter, any selection for the ODI World Cup must be earned on results, not reputation.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s been loose discussion \u2013 like there is on any number of subjects \u2013 and that\u2019s what selection is all about,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n \u201cOur job now is to, over the next few months, to narrow our thinking down to explore what we think might be viable, in terms of how we might use our resources, which include casually contracted players.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s a lot of water to flow under the bridge yet. We\u2019ve got good depth across the game now. There are younger players starting to push their cases quite hard. <\/p>\n \u201cPerformances mean a heck of a lot, it\u2019s down to the players to shoot the lights out.\u201d<\/p>\nFinn Allen has been successful for New Zealand at T20 cricket. Photo \/ Arun Sankar, AFP<\/p>\n