Wellington Firebirds batsman Finn Allen has signed for English county side Lancashire for the Club’s Vitality Blast campaign.
The 21-year-old made headlines during his breakthrough season when he poweredFirebirds to the 2020/21 Super Smash title, scoring a chart-topping 512 runs at a strike rate of almost 194.
Throughout the Super Smash, Allen became notorious for his wide range of stroke play - including an inventive switch-hit - while he also struck a tournament-best 25 sixes.
A day after winning the Super Smash final, Allen received his first call-up into the New Zealand T20I squad but has yet to make his international debut.
His run scoring has also attracted Indian Premier League (IPL) attention – Allen has been snapped up by Royal Challengers Bangalore where he will play in his first IPL campaign ahead of arriving at Emirates Old Trafford in June.
“I’m really excited to get over to England, it will be my first spell in county cricket and a great opportunity test myself in one of the world’s best T20 tournaments," said Allen.
“To win the Super Smash, and finish as leading run scorer in my breakthrough T20 tournament, has provided me with a platform and I am now looking forward to continuing to learn and improve as a cricketer.
“Lancashire is a huge Club with a proud history and I absolutely can’t wait to play at Emirates Old Trafford throughout the Vitality Blast competition. They’ve got a very talented, young and exciting squad so I’m really looking forward to joining up with the group later this year to hopefully challenge for the title.”
Lancashire director of cricket, Paul Allott added: “Finn is an extremely highly rated young cricketer, and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to bring him to Lancashire Cricket.
“His outstanding record in the recent Super Smash tournament caught attention around the world and I am looking forward to seeing how Finn can contribute to helping Lancashire win matches in the Vitality Blast.
“I believe that this is a signing which will excite supporters and improve what is already a very strong T20 outfit, as showed in last year’s campaign.”
Article added: Monday 22 March 2021
