Live Update: “I’m really looking forward to it” – Finn Allen on ODI recall for India series Allen, Ferguson and Seifert return to New Zealand’s expanded 21-man ODI squad as the Black Cs prepare for a five-match series against India starting November 4, 2026.
“I’m really looking forward to it” – Finn Allen on ODI recall for India series (Photo Source: Nikhil Patil/) Finn Allen, Lockie Ferguson and Tim Seifert have been named in New Zealand’s 21-man extended squad for the five-match ODI series against India, starting November 4, 2026. The inclusion of the trio marks a notable return to the ODI setup after a lengthy absence from the format. Allen and Ferguson last played ODI cricket at the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, while Seifert’s last ODI pearance came against Pakistan 18 months ago.
Allen is only available for the fourth and fifth games of the series and is excluded from taking part in the first three games. Allen, who operates without a central contract with New Zealand Cricket and has been on a casual contract for two years, also signed a contract worth $740,000 a year with the Melbourne Stars, making him the most expensive player in Big Bash League history. Despite his high profile in franchise cricket, his ODI record over 22 matches averages just under 27, with no centuries in the format.
However, he has scored three centuries in T20 cricket, most recently a World Cup semi-final victory over South Africa. What did Allen say about his ODI comeback? Allen has not featured in New Zealand’s ODI plans for several years and his removal comes at a time when the Black C’s are trying to assess their future ahead of the 2027 Cricket World Cup, scheduled to take place in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
His T20 form has allowed him to remain important in the global franchise circuit, but the ODI format presents a different challenge. New Zealand head coach Rob Walter has indicated he will use Allen in the center line, possibly in a finishing role. “It’s been a few years since I played in the New Zealand team, I’m really looking forward to it.
I love one-day cricket. This will be a bit of a change in my mindset and something I’ll figure out over the next few weeks. I think I’ve come a long way. When you play a lot of top-level cricket around the world, you naturally hope that as your performance improves you will get more exposure to international cricket.
The more experience you have, the more you develop as a player and the better you understand your game. In one-day cricket it is even more important,” Allen was quoted as saying by the New Zealand Herald. Allen was measured when it came to filling the batting position left vacant by Kane Williamson’s retirement.
“I don’t know if you can compare me to Kane, it’s quite difficult to respect him. But I think we’ll discuss more about the roles and what that will look like later,” he said. What is the idea behind the Ferguson and Seifert recalls?
Ferguson and Seifert return alongside Allen as New Zealand cast a wider net ahead of the 2027 World Cup cycle. Both players played important roles during the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in India and their inclusion in the ODI squad reflects the selectors’ intention to re-evaluate experienced players in the format. The squad for the fourth and fifth ODIs will also be led by Mitchell Santner, with a significant portion of the Test squad leaving the team to prepare for the two-match red-ball series.
Coach Rob Walter discussed the return of Allen and Seifert together. “[Allen] and Seif are the same, to be honest. They had an incredible World Cup in India.
It is very difficult to be a strong player and take risks. If it doesn’t work out, you will experience dispointment during this time. But it’s a credit to both of them for staying true to what they do best. I have no doubt that this will continue in the one-day game,” Walter said via the aforementioned source.
