And while the India series \u2013 of which he\u2019s only available to play games four and five \u2013 is still a long way away from the World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, it does still represent the first steps in a clear plan to see if Allen has what it takes to replicate his T20 performances in longer formats.<\/p>\n
Finn Allen against South Africa at the T20 World Cup. Photo \/ Photosport<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s nice to be back,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s been a few years since being in the New Zealand side, I\u2019m really looking forward to it.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love one-day cricket. It\u2019ll be a bit of a change of mindset and something I\u2019ll try to figure out over the next couple of weeks.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d like to think I\u2019ve come a long way, [when] you play a lot of high-level cricket around the world, you\u2019d naturally hope you get better, the more exposed you get to international cricket too.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe more experience [you have], you grow as a player, you understand your game a bit better. That\u2019s even more important in one-day cricket.\u201d<\/p>\n
For two years, Allen has operated without a New Zealand Cricket central contract and has instead penned a casual contract that\u2019s left him available to play for the Black Caps when it doesn\u2019t clash with franchise opportunities around the world.<\/p>\n
Finn Allen and Tim Seifert have formed one of the world’s best T20 partnerships. Photo \/ Photosport<\/p>\n
That, though, has given Allen the chance to learn from playing with and against some of the best players around the world, with stints in Australia, England, India, Pakistan and even the USA.<\/p>\n
So much so, he\u2019s just become the most expensive player in Australia\u2019s Big Bash League history, by netting a $740,000 per year contract to join the Melbourne Stars.<\/p>\n
Ferguson has a similar arrangement with New Zealand Cricket, with he and Allen both making no bones of how much they want to represent their country. And having played both with and against Allen in his travels, Ferguson knows exactly what he \u2013 and opening partner Seifert \u2013 bring to the table.<\/p>\n
\u201c[Allen] and Seif are the same, to be fair,\u201d he said. \u201cThey had an amazing World Cup in India.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s very difficult to be a power player and take some risks, you\u2019re going to have some disappointments through that time with it not working out.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut credit to both of them, they\u2019ve stuck to what they know best. I have no doubt that will carry through into the one-day game.\u201d<\/p>\n
Crucially, then, the biggest question around Allen\u2019s spot in the 50-over side remains where he\u2019ll fit into the line-up.<\/p>\n
Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway are all but locked in at the top of the order, however, Kane Williamson\u2019s retirement does leave a hole at No 3. <\/p>\n
However, Walter has also hinted at using Allen in the middle order, potentially in a finishing role.<\/p>\n
But with his involvement in the five-match series still weeks away, Allen concedes he\u2019s uncertain exactly where he\u2019ll bat, and that no player will be able to replace what Williamson gave to the Black Caps in his 16-year career.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know if you can compare me and Kane, that\u2019s pretty tough to live up to. But I suppose we\u2019ll chat more about roles and what that will look like closer to the time.\u201d<\/p>\n