Allen enjoys “extended” opportunity with Blackcaps while Munro's future is questioned

Rookie batsman Finn Allen may be the Blackcaps’ next big thing.

The 23-year-old has scored 273 ODI runs since debuting in July, narrowly missing out on his maiden century with 96 off 117 in their second match against the West Indies.

While only managing 25 and 3 in the first and last match, the opening batsman seems set to have cemented his place at the top of the short-format order with veteran Martin Guptill.

Sky Sports presenter Laura McGoldrick believes the young star will gain plenty of “confidence” from his Caribbean tour, feeling he is one of the Blackcaps’ exciting young prospects ahead of a huge year of international cricket.

“We have the likes of Finn Allen who had a great tour,” McGoldrick told SENZ Breakfast.

“They obviously had the European tour prior to the West Indies, (it’s been) great to see what he can do and to be given extended chances.

“Not that he needed the chances but playing game after game after game … that builds up your confidence as well.”

Having impressed at the crease, Allen may have done enough to fend off competition from his teammates including former opener Colin Munro.

The 35-year-old batsman last represented New Zealand in 2020, and with fluctuating results in both the IPL and Big Bash in recent season, may be overlooked for October’s T20 Cricket World Cup.

“I never know with Colin,” McGoldrick continued.

“He’s such a talented player and I’d love to see him get a shot (but) I just don’t know,”

“I don’t know what the conversations have been around it but you’d have to think maybe with the emergence of Finn Allen (he might miss out), I just don’t know.”

After claiming historic victories over the West Indies in both the T20 and ODI format, the Blackcaps will enjoy a brief reprieve before heading across the Tasman to face the Aussies.

There they will take part in a three-match ODI series in Cairns before beginning their Cup campaign against Pakistan on October 11.