Colin Munro’s Potential Return: Key Considerations for New Zealand’s T20 World Cup Squad
Colin Munro, despite being 37 years old, is being considered as a potential inclusion in New Zealand’s T20 World Cup squad, marking a return to international cricket after four years.
Munro has not represented New Zealand in cricket since 2020 and has withdrawn from the T20I tour of Pakistan.
Although Munro declined a call-up for New Zealand’s forthcoming T20I series in Pakistan, his CPL performance means that when the selectors choose a 15-man team this month, his name will be on the table. Teams must submit their preliminary squads to the ICC by May 1; the final deadline is May 25.
With nine players missing because of IPL commitments, New Zealand announced a backup team on Wednesday for their five-match series against Pakistan. Sam Wells, the selection manager, disclosed that they had spoken to Munro before the visit. Despite turning down the opportunity to join the team, he is always on their minds as they approach the World Cup.
“We communicated with Colin. Wells stated, “He’s clearly been in great form for the past few years in a variety of international competitions and, in particular, has an outstanding record in the Caribbean Premier League.” “He made himself unavailable for this tour but he’s potentially still an option.”
Munro leads all foreign players in run scoring and ranks sixth in the history of the CPL. Prior to joining St Lucia Kings last year, he played for seven seasons with the Trinbago Knight Riders. He has amassed 2353 runs at an average of 35.65 and a strike rate of 128.86 in the CPL.
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Since losing his core contract in 2020, he has not played for New Zealand, and he has expressed his dissatisfaction at not being selected for the 2021 T20 World Cup in the past. Munro, who turned 37 this month, has a stellar record in Twenty20 Internationals, averaging 31.34 and striking at a 156.44 strike rate in 65 games.
It might take an injury for Munro to make an impression in T20Is because New Zealand has many top-order batsmen, such as Devon Conway, Finn Allen, and Rachin Ravindra. “I don’t think it takes a rocket scientist to work out that our top order is relatively settled,” Wells stated, “but if anything were to happen with injuries and what-not, he’s still an option for us.”
The World Cup matches for New Zealand’s Group C are all played at locations that are known to help spinners. They play Afghanistan at Providence in Guyana to begin the tournament. They then go on to play the West Indies, Uganda, and Papua New Guinea at Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba, Trinidad.
