Colin Munro still an ‘option’ for New Zealand as T20 World Cup approaches
The left-handed batter is still a top performer in leagues globally
New Zealand’s opener Colin Munro is still an option for the Black Caps' squad for the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup despite last representing the Kiwis in 2020, confirmed selection manager Sam Wells.
Munro, 37, last played for New Zealand in 2020 and has been an active performer in T20 leagues around the world which is the reason the Kiwis still have the left-handed batter in their plans for the shorter-format World Cup which starts on June 1 in the United States.
New Zealand Cricket (NZC)on Wednesday announced a 15-man depleted squad to face Pakistan in a five-match T20I series where few of their key players turned down the call due to their ongoing participation in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024.
Even though Munro is not currently playing IPL, he still made himself unavailable to play against Pakistan. However, despite this, he is still a contender for the World Cup squad due to his record in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).
"We got in touch with Colin. He's obviously been in fine form for the last few years in various competitions around the world and, in particular, has an excellent record in the Caribbean Premier League," Wells said as quoted by ESPN Cricinfo. "He made himself unavailable for this tour but he's potentially still an option."
Munro is the seventh-highest run-getter in CPL history with 2,353 runs to his name in 78 innings at an impressive average of 35.65 and 128 strike rate.
New Zealand have players like Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway as their top-order batters in T20 cricket and the presence of such batters could make things difficult for Munro to find his way back into the squad.
"I don't think it takes a rocket scientist to work out that our top order is relatively settled," Wells said, "but if anything were to happen with injuries and what-not, he's still an option for us."
Remember, New Zealand is in Group C of the World Cup and will play all of their matches in the West Indies.
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