New Zealand opener Finn Allen is back in the team bio-bubble after testing two negative COVID-19 tests in two consecutive days. If Allen is in return for the second T20I on Friday against Bangladesh, who were bowled out for 60 in the first game on Wednesday.
The Head coach Glenn Pocknall welcomes Finn Allen:-
New Zealand head coach Glenn Pocknall welcomed Finn Allen, although he said that the batsman’s condition should be checked before taking a final result on his selection. Glenn Pocknall said.
He is a great attacking batsman. It has shown in short documents around the world. He will add a lot of firepower to our batting line-up, it is a big part of our team. Hope he can join the team as soon as possible. They will be accepted (for selection), but it is a matter of when.
“He has just come out of covid, so some are unfamiliar how he will be physically. He is fine now but we have to decide what sport he returns to before we can judge the impact in these circumstances. “
Finn tested positive two days later:-
Finn Allen and Colin de Grandhomme arrived in Dhaka on 20 August, three days ahead of the rest of the New Zealand team as their hundred campaign was completed early.
But Allen tested positive two days later. He was quarantined in another part of the team hotel.
Allen tested negative on Wednesday and Thursday being called back to the side. He made his T20I debut earlier this year, scoring a half-century in the third game against Bangladesh. The Finn went on to play for Lancashire in the Vitality Blast, where he scored four fifties in 13 matches.
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He played Hundred for Birmingham Phoenix, scoring 165 runs in eight matches. His fellow opener Tom Blundell also did not cooperate much, which could mean that Allen is taking his place.
Accumulation as Allen’s replacement:-
Matt Henry who was stocked as Allen’s replacement, is ending his three-day isolation at the hotel, pending a negative Covid-19 test, before joining the team on Friday.
Although not an equal player, Matt Henry’s full vaccination saw him in limited isolation to return to New Zealand, being part of the ODI squad to face Pakistan, which made him a philosophical replacement.
