Finn Allen Out of MLC Playoffs and Zimbabwe Series

New Zealand opener Finn Allen has been ruled out of both the Major League Cricket (MLC) playoffs in the United States and the upcoming T20I tri-series in Zimbabwe due to a foot injury sustained while playing for the San Francisco Unicorns. Allen was the second-highest run-scorer for the Unicorns, amassing 333 runs with a record 151-run innings, and his absence is a blow to both club and country. He will return to New Zealand for specialist consultations, with his recovery timeline yet to be determined and a replacement to be named by New Zealand Cricket in due course. The tri-series, featuring Zimbabwe, South Africa, and New Zealand, begins July 14 in Harare, with New Zealand facing South Africa on July 16. The Unicorns have opted not to name a replacement for Allen for the MLC playoffs and will also be without West Indies allrounder Romario Shepherd, who has departed for national duties. New Zealand's squad, led by Mitchell Santner and under new head coach Rob Walter, includes uncapped batter Bevon Jacobs.