Archive · 11 Oct 2026
New Zealand Plans Finn Allen Middle-Order Trial Against India
New Zealand will play cricket against India in several upcoming series.
The team wants to try Finn Allen in a new batting position during the one-day games.
Instead of opening, he may bat in the middle of the innings.
Coach Rob Walter hopes Allen can score against spin bowlers and other bowlers in those overs.
The team is testing this idea as one possible plan for a future World Cup.
New Zealand will also play five T20 games and two Test matches against India.
The team is carefully managing its fast bowlers as some recover from injuries.
Lockie Ferguson is expected to play in the last two one-day games.
Mitchell Santner is expected to play all five T20 games.
New Zealand plans to try Finn Allen in the middle order during the India ODI series.
Coach Rob Walter says Allen could target spinners and fifth or sixth bowlers in overs 25 to 40.
Walter said the experiment is a proactive World Cup option, not a reaction to recent high-scoring matches.
New Zealand will host India for five T20Is and five ODIs, followed by two Tests; the ODIs begin November 4, according to one report.
New Zealand is managing fast-bowler workloads, with Lockie Ferguson expected for the final two ODIs and Mitchell Santner set for all five T20Is.
- Who
- New Zealand, led by head coach Rob Walter, is considering Finn Allen for a middle-order role; India is the opponent.
- What
- New Zealand plans to test Allen batting in the middle order during the ODI series.
- When
- The ODI series is reported to begin November 4; the year is not specified in that report.
- Where
- New Zealand.
- Why
- To assess a batting option for the middle overs and future World Cup planning.
- India series
- Five T20Is and five ODIs, followed by a two-Test series.
- Finn Allen's proposed role
- A middle-order batter who can attack spinners and the fifth or sixth bowler.
- Middle-overs focus
- Walter highlighted overs 25 to 40 as an important period in 50-over cricket.
- Will O'Rourke
- Being eased back into bowling after a lower-back injury and a calf issue; New Zealand hopes he will be available for the Australia Test series.
- Ben Sears
- Recovering from ankle surgery and expected to begin running within one to two weeks.
- Lockie Ferguson
- Expected to join the ODI series for its final two matches as part of a managed return to 50-over cricket.
- Mitchell Santner and BJ Watling
- Santner is set for all five T20Is; former wicketkeeper-batter Watling has been appointed New Zealand batting coach.
