Wellington, Oct. 11 -- New Zealand coach Rob Walter said that the Kiwis are exploring the option of opener Finn Allen batting in the middle order in the 50-over format, starting from the five-match ODI series against India at home, to take on extra pace options and spinners in the middle overs with aggression.

Allen, who is a part of NZ's ODI squad for the India series, has not played any ODI since September 2023, but has some middle-order experience, including an explosive 65-ball 87 for NZ A against India A during a tour game in Lincoln back in 2020. While the opener has established himself as a powerful T20 force, he averages just 27.71 in 22 ODIs and 21 innings, scoring just 582 runs with five fifties.

"It is unlikely that they [All...