Finn Allen joins Perth Scorchers on two-year deal after turning down NZ central contract

New Zealand opener Finn Allen is set to join the Perth Scorchers on a two-year contract, making him the latest player to opt out of a national central contract for more lucrative franchise opportunities. This move comes as a significant boost for the Scorchers, who were among the last Big Bash League (BBL) teams to announce pre-draft signings under the new multi-year deal mechanism.

Allen, known for his explosive T20 batting, turned down a New Zealand central contract to pursue this franchise deal. His decision means he will miss New Zealand’s white-ball series against Sri Lanka starting in late December. The Scorchers' interest in Allen became clear only recently, and the official confirmation of his signing is expected in the coming days.

Allen boasts an impressive T20 strike rate of 168.60, the second highest among batters with at least 3000 runs in the format. He has made a mark on the international stage with two T20I centuries and notable performances in the 2022 T20 World Cup. However, his recent T20 World Cup campaign in the West Indies and USA was less successful, scoring only 35 runs in four innings.

Allen will join fellow New Zealanders Colin Munro (Brisbane Heat) and Tim Seifert (Melbourne Renegades) in the BBL this season. Munro has retired from international cricket, while Seifert turned down a domestic contract with Northern Districts.

The Scorchers struggled to fill the opening position last season after Cameron Bancroft’s move to Sydney Thunder. Zak Crawley made some contributions with two half-centuries, but other attempts to fill the role were less successful. Allen's signing is expected to address this gap.

The Scorchers had considered bringing back Laurie Evans, who had an outstanding season last year with 292 runs at an average of 58.40 and a strike rate of 189.61. However, Evans has an ongoing deal with the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in the ILT20, which overlaps with the BBL. The Scorchers may still pursue Evans in the draft, but his availability could be limited.

The BBL draft is scheduled for September 1, and the Scorchers will have picks 7, 15, 18, and 31.