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New Zealand have revealed veteran opener Colin Munro is still in the mix for a shock recall for June's ICC Men's T20 World Cup.
Munro hasn't played an international match in more than four years, but selector Sam Wells has indicated the left-hander is still being discussed as a potential option for the month-long tournament in the USA and Caribbean due to his good recent record in domestic tournaments around the world.
The 37-year-old was the sixth leading run-scorer during the recent edition of the Pakistan Super League during a stint with the Islamabad United and has the seventh most runs of any player in the history of the Caribbean Premier League, which will aid his chances of winning selection given New Zealand are scheduled to play their group fixtures at this year's T20 World Cup in Guyana and Trinidad.
Wells revealed Munro declined the chance to feature during New Zealand's five-match T20I series in Pakistan later this month, but said the veteran remained in contention to win a recall into the Kiwis' 15-player squad for the T20 World Cup.
"We got in touch with Colin. He's obviously been in fine form for the last few years in various competitions around the world and, in particular, has an excellent record in the Caribbean Premier League," Wells said.
"He made himself unavailable for this tour but he's potentially still an option."
All-rounder Glenn Phillips was New Zealand's leading run-scorer at the most recent edition of the T20 World Cup in Australia with 201 runs, while the likes of hard-hitting youngsters Rachin Ravindra and Finn Allen and experienced right-hander Kane Williamson appear the first-choice options in the Kiwis' top-order.
But Wells suggested Munro remains a viable option, especially if a similar type of player picks up an injury.
"I don't think it takes a rocket scientist to work out that our top order is relatively settled," Wells said,
"But if anything were to happen with injuries and what-not, he's still an option for us."
Munro has three T20I centuries to his name and boasts a healthy average of 31.34 and an impressive strike-rate of 156.44 throughout his international career.
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