Finn Allen's Return to Form with a Match-Winning Performance

For a man known for hitting 16 sixes in about 90 minutes and thriving in the fast lane, Finn Allen must have been struggling after arriving in Dallas with just one six to his name in over 90 days. Representing the San Francisco Unicorns after a disappointing World Cup in the Caribbean, Allen showed no signs of hesitation as he stormed to 63 off 37 balls, leading his team to a 7-wicket victory over the LA Knight Riders.

After a three-month injury hiatus, Allen found it challenging to perform in the Caribbean. He couldn't replicate the highs of the New Zealand summer, where he had shot to fame with a stunning innings against Pakistan. However, Allen shone brightly once again, albeit briefly. Harris Rauf, his Unicorn teammate who had previously endured Allen's onslaught with three consecutive sixes, grinned wryly as Shakib Al Hassan faced a similar fate. Allen had already hit two sixes off Andre Russell in the previous over, making it five consecutive sixes for the Kiwi opener.

Allen attributed his renewed approach to New Zealand batting coach Luke Ronchi and Auckland coach Rob Nicol, who provided him with a fresh perspective on his batting after the New Zealand summer. Ronchi advised Allen to minimise his movements before facing the ball, suggesting he eliminate his trigger movement to pick up the length more quickly.

Reflecting on his adjustments, Allen mentioned, "I had a few months off due to injuries before the World Cup, which gave me a chance to refine my skills and rethink my game. I decided to eliminate my trigger movement to stay more still and improve my ability to pick up the length. This change certainly helped me. It took some time to get used to, but it allowed me to have a stronger base. There were no downsides; in fact, the trigger was hindering my performance."

Allen's aggressive approach against Shakib showcased his ability to read the length, especially against a spinner, which can be more challenging than facing a pacer. He hit a full delivery from Shakib straight down the ground. When Shakib adjusted his length, Allen moved deep in his crease and struck the balls long and straight. These were not short balls but on a good length for a spinner. Allen's quick adjustment and strong base enabled him to hit one of the sixes over 99 meters, a shot popularised by Klaasen on the world stage.