Big Bash news: New Zealand blaster bound for Perth after turning down national deal

Another Black Cap has turned down a national contract to pursue more opportunities in franchise cricket with one of New Zealand’s biggest hitters signing with the Scorchers for the BBL season.

New Zealand blaster Finn Allen has signed a two-year deal with the Perth Scorchers after becoming the latest Black Caps player to turn down a central contract.

Allen, 25, is one of the fiercest strikers in world cricket, with his 62-ball knock of 137 - featuring 16 sixes - against Pakistan earlier this year setting a new record for the highest T20 international score for NZ. He has played 69 times internationally across both white-ball formats.

But the financial lure of the global short-form circuit has proven too good to refuse, continuing the talent drain in NZ and amplifying the gulf between the haves and have-nots in world cricket.

It’s understood Allen has become the third New Zealander to commit to a men’s Big Bash League team under the freshly introduced pre-sign mechanism in which clubs can sign up to one overseas player in both the BBL and WBBL ahead of the overseas player drafts.

The Melbourne Renegades signed Tim Seifert via the same rule. Most BBL clubs have now unveiled their overseas pre-signings ahead of the draft nominations deadline.

Finn Allen has signed for the Scorchers. Picture: Getty Images

Industry sources expect the Sydney Sixers to nab West Indian spinner Akeal Hosein, while Jamie Overton is likely to return to the Adelaide Strikers. England Test batter Ollie Pope is also expected to be on the list of draft nominations to be released by CA later this month.

That Allen had turned down a deal with New Zealand Cricket was revealed on Thursday as NZC also announced that Devon Conway had turned down a central contract to move to a casual contract like that taken by Kane Williamson, but that Allen had not been offered a casual deal and that his international selection would now be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Both Conway and Allen had initially been named on NZ’s men’s contract list.

Finn Allen turned down a central contract from New Zealand. Picture: Getty Images

Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson and Adam Milne are other New Zealanders that have walked away from central deals in recent years, unwilling to be hamstrung by the requirement to play in NZ’s Super Smash league that overlaps with several much more lucrative T20 competitions including the BBL.

Conway, Williamson and Ferguson are not expected to be part of the BBL, preferring other leagues.

“We’re delighted with Devon’s decision to commit to the Black Saps - he’s a quality player who’s made a strong contribution to the team over the past few years,” NZC chief Scott Weenink said.

“In the current environment it’s important to have flexibility in our system to navigate some of the challenges posed by franchise cricket - and this is another example of how we’re working hard to retain our best players.”

Separately, the Scorchers have signed veteran NZ star Sophie Devine to a two-year WBBL deal, while the Sydney Thunder have penned a three-year agreement with gun Sri Lankan batter Chamari Athapaththu.

Originally published as Big Bash news: New Zealand blaster bound for Perth after turning down national deal