Why Christmas Feels Different for Many Bajans This Year

The series, which starts on January 21 in Nagpur, serves as important preparation for the T20 World Cup to be played in India and Sri Lanka. It is the second leg of New Zealand’s white-ball tour with three ODIs slated from January 11-17.

But Allen might not be available until possibly the fourth T20I on January 28 if Perth Scorchers reach the BBL final set to be played on January 25. Scorchers wrap up their regular season against Melbourne Stars on January 17 in Perth. If they don’t qualify for the finals, then Allen should be available for the full T20I series.

“Pending selection, I’ll head straight to India once the Big Bash finishes up for us [Scorchers],” Allen told ESPNcricinfo.

Allen, 26, is one of five players who signed casual agreements in order to have some flexibility between playing for New Zealand, remaining within the high-performance system, and taking up franchise opportunities overseas.

“Playing for New Zealand is still, for me, the pinnacle and the reason why I love playing is to represent my country,” Allen said. “But cricket’s obviously evolving and changing year on year.

“New Zealand Cricket’s been really good to work with over the last wee while. [I’m] confident about getting back into some Black Caps stuff after the Big Bash and hopefully can continue that.”

Gearing up to partner Australia T20I skipper Mitchell Marsh at the top of the order for Scorchers, Allen will be making his return to competitive cricket after being sidelined with a foot stress fracture sustained in the MLC in early July.

In the season opener of MLC, Allen had smashed 151 – featuring a T20 record of 19 sixes – in San Francisco Unicorns’ victory over Washington Freedom at the Oakland Coliseum.

Allen last played international cricket in March, where he hit 27 off 12 balls in New Zealand’s eight-wicket victory over Pakistan in Wellington.

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