Potential T20 World Cup Recall for New Zealand Opener, Colin Munro
New Zealand’s veteran opener, Colin Munro, is being considered for an unexpected recall for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in June.
Despite not having played an international match for over four years, selector Sam Wells has hinted that Munro’s recent performance in domestic tournaments worldwide has kept him in contention for the month-long tournament set to take place in the USA and Caribbean.
At 37, Munro was the sixth-highest run-scorer in the recent Pakistan Super League while playing for Islamabad United. He also ranks seventh in total runs in the history of the Caribbean Premier League. These achievements could boost his chances of selection, given that New Zealand’s group fixtures for this year’s T20 World Cup are scheduled in Guyana and Trinidad.
Wells disclosed that Munro declined the opportunity to participate in New Zealand’s upcoming five-match T20I series in Pakistan. However, he remains a potential candidate for the Kiwis’ 15-player squad for the T20 World Cup.
“We reached out to Colin. He has been in excellent form in various competitions worldwide over the last few years, particularly in the Caribbean Premier League,” Wells stated.
“Although he made himself unavailable for this tour, he remains a potential option.”
All-rounder Glenn Phillips was New Zealand’s top run-scorer at the most recent T20 World Cup in Australia, scoring 201 runs. Meanwhile, promising youngsters Rachin Ravindra and Finn Allen, along with experienced right-hander Kane Williamson, seem to be the Kiwis’ first-choice top-order options.
However, Wells suggested that Munro could still be a viable choice, particularly if a similar player suffers an injury.
“Our top order is relatively settled, as anyone can see,” said Wells,
“But in case of injuries, Munro remains an option for us.”
Munro, who has three T20I centuries to his credit, has maintained a healthy average of 31.34 and an impressive strike-rate of 156.44 throughout his international career.