But asked about the shortage of international quality fast-bowling allrounders across New Zealand, Black Caps selector Gavin Larsen outlined planning is already underway for the next generation to come through.<\/p>\n
Colin de Grandhomme retired in 2022. Photo \/ Photosport<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s the same question you ask across all skillsets across three formats,\u201d he told the Herald. \u201cYou dashboard it, where are the red flashing lights?<\/p>\n
\u201cPace-bowling allrounders has been a glaring gap. Jimmy has been playing a really key role for us. But he\u2019ll be aware that there\u2019s a number of emerging allrounders now that are turning our heads as selectors. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re about to name a New Zealand A team to go to Sri Lanka, that will have three very exciting, young allrounders.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll be watching their performances very closely.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wellington\u2019s Muhammad Abbas<\/a> looms as a clear standout among those playing domestically, while Auckland\u2019s Simon Keene has already represented New Zealand A.<\/p>\n Further afield, Otago\u2019s Luke Georgeson turned down the chance to represent Ireland to push for a Black Caps place, while the Herald understands Canterbury\u2019s Cameron Paul is another to have been identified as a player of significant potential to play at the highest level.<\/p>\n The current shortage isn\u2019t entirely unexpected. Allrounders tend to take twice as long to develop than specialist batters or bowlers, given their time in practice is split between two skills.<\/p>\n Making the situation more challenging, though, is the fact that the amount of cricket played in 2026 is making it difficult for allrounders to exist. The workload of both disciplines, repeated day in, day out by a hectic schedule has seen an increase in injuries, with players forced into retirements.<\/p>\n Among the sport\u2019s premier international allrounders, none consistently play all three formats. England\u2019s Ben Stokes saves himself for test cricket, while India\u2019s Hardik Pandya effectively only plays T20s. Andre Russell retired from international cricket last year, having played 142 white ball matches for the West Indies, but only one test.<\/p>\n Workload management, Larsen says, remains arguably the biggest challenge in the game.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve started a project since I\u2019ve got back addressing that exact point. It\u2019s a very complex cricketing world we live in now.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve got a lot of bilateral cricket, we\u2019ve got pinnacle events, we\u2019ve got T20 franchise leagues that sit heavily on top of that programme now.<\/p>\n \u201cThat means the players\u2019 workloads are stretched in all directions. We\u2019re very conscious that we have to manage our players.<\/p>\n \u201cThat might mean having to make difficult decisions, in terms of who we rest and when, and being measured and pragmatic.\u201d<\/p>\n As for New Zealand, the status quo will remain in place for a little while longer. Neesham is now 35. By the time the next T20 World Cup rolls around at the end of 2028, he\u2019ll be 37.<\/p>\nMuhammad Abbas has been handed a first New Zealand Cricket central contract. Photo \/ Photosport<\/p>\n
Jimmy Neesham took four wickets in the third T20 International against Australia. Photo \/ Photosport<\/p>\n