Major setback for New Zealand ahead of T20I Tri-Nation series

Ahead of the Tri-Nation series between Zimbabwe, the host nation, South Africa, and New Zealand, the Black Caps are forced to make a major change and multiple additions due to injury concerns. The attacking batter Fin Allen will miss the series due to a foot injury he picked up while playing in the Major League Cricket (MLC) in the United States of America.

Devon Conway will replace him. Apart from the addiction of Conway, Mitch Hay, Jimmy Neesham, and Tim Robinson will join the New Zealand T20I squad starting from tomorrow (July 14, 2025). Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips, and Rachin Ravindra, who were also involved in the MLC 2025 final, got cover-ups as Hay, Neesham, and Robinson.

The injury of Fin Allen came as a serious setback for the Kiwis. The head coach of Team New Zealand, Rob Walter, expressed his disappointment about the update.

Read More: 'These Cricketers Are Quite Rich' - Former England captain takes brutal dig at Shubman Gill and Ben Stokes

New Zealand coach expressed his disappointment

"We’re really gutted for Finn," said Walter. "I was looking forward to working with him and to seeing him continue his form from the MLC, but unfortunately injuries happen." We’re lucky to be able to call on someone of Devon’s quality to replace Finn." 

The three-team T20I competition will start on July 14, with a round-robin format where every team will face the other two teams twice. The final match of the series will be held on July 26, featuring the best two teams. 

Time to fly! ✈️

The New Zealand based BLACKCAPS depart Aotearoa today ahead of the T20I Tri-Series against Zimbabwe and South Africa - starting next Friday. Stream all matches LIVE and free on Three Now 📺 pic.twitter.com/eSkpinxNsm

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) July 9, 2025

Tri-series fixtures:

• July 14 - Zimbabwe vs. South Africa
• July 16 - South Africa vs. New Zealand
• July 18 - Zimbabwe v New Zealand
• July 20 - Zimbabwe vs. South Africa
• July 22 - New Zealand vs. South Africa
• July 24 - Zimbabwe v New Zealand
• July 26 - Final