NEWS
Follow UsNew Zealand opener Finn Allen, who tested positive for Covid-19 a week before the first T20I against Bangladesh, is all set to join the rest of the squad after returning two negative Covid results. On August 24, Allen tested positive for Covid-19 48 hours after landing in Dhaka, and hence was not allowed to enter the bubble. As a result, the 22-year-old missed the first T20I on Wednesday, September 1.
Though it is unclear when the opener will be ready to take to the field, the Blackcaps’ stand-in coach Glenn Pocknall has confirmed that Allen will ‘definitely come into consideration’ as soon as he is deemed fit and ready to play.
"It's great for us. He has been a big part of our squad. Hopefully, he will come as soon as possible but he will have to undergo a couple of (fitness) tests. He will definitely come into consideration, it's just a matter of when. He is physically fit but we need to assess on what game he comes into the team,” Pocknall said in a video posted on the Blackcaps Twitter account.
"He is a very attacking batsman and he has shown that around the world in the shorter format, and he will certainly add a lot of fire in our batting line-up ,'' he added.
Coach @GlennPocknall confirming @FinnAllen32 can join the team in Dhaka after two negative COVID tests. #BANvNZ pic.twitter.com/PQHoEXCAsL
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) September 2, 2021
Meanwhile Matt Henry, who was a late addition to the squad as a cover for Allen, is expected to join the squad on Friday, September 3, upon returning a negative Covid-19 test.