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“It’s failing”: Cumming criticises Blackcaps’ persistence with struggling opener

2 years ago

Former New Zealand cricketer Craig Cumming believes the Blackcaps’ experiment with rookie opener Finn Allen is “failing” following his struggles in India.

Allen, 23, debuted for New Zealand in the 50-over format mid last year and was quick to become the nation’s next big star with some impressive totals against Ireland and West Indies.

With a top score of 96 in One-Day Internationals, it is clear Allen is a skilful batter, however, several performances of late have put into question whether he is ready to take on internationally acclaimed bowlers.

Two consecutive ducks and a 40 mark Allen’s recent ODI tour of India, leading Cumming to believe that Gary Stead’s persistence with the opener is unfounded.

“I’m concerned around the style of cricketers we’re trying to produce,” Cumming told SENZ Mornings.

“You’ve just got to look at (Tuesday) night and when it comes to cricketers within our own country and the way we’re trying to produce it, I want to produce Devon Conways, I want to produce Kane Williamsons; the guys that have got craft and can bat and they’ve got more than one (skill).

“Finn Allen at the moment, yeah he’s young, he’s learning but (he’s in a) really important position for us at the top of the order and he seems to be at the moment a one-pace, one-line hitter.

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“(Tuesday) night was actually the perfect conditions but we need to - and we’re always used to with Martin Guptill there - at least get off to good starts, and his record is unbelievable.

“So yeah, at the moment I think it’s failing and maybe Finn’s getting the experience, I mean they’ve got to stick with him, but he’s not producing enough at the moment.”

Guptill, 36, was omitted from Stead’s sub-continent tour squad in favour of Allen and has now been released from his New Zealand Cricket central contract to pursue opportunities overseas. He currently represents the Melbourne Renegades in their hunt for the BBL|12 title.

With the experienced Guptill gone, Cumming believes the Blackcaps must focus on shaping Allen’s craft instead of fuelling the quick-knock mentality.

“I’d like to see a little bit more craft when it comes to the way he’s playing and a little bit more craft when it comes to the cricketers we’re trying to produce,” Cumming added.

“What happened to being able to score all around the ground? What happened to being able to use the pace of the ball? What happened to being able to use skill and beat fielders on their left and right?

“Even you look at Rohit Sharma and the way they (India) play, yes they’re powerful but they also have skill in the way they go about executing their plans and I just worry at the moment that Finn’s sort of been thrown into that mix where it’s one pace, batter up, it’s a baseball style mentality; try to hit home runs and that’s all we want.

“I think we need more and in India, the surfaces, you get rewarded highly for good cricket and we’re just struggling with that and we’re always on the back foot from the start of the innings.”

New Zealand Blackcaps

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