New Zealand plan Finn Allen move to middle order for India ODIs

New Zealand will test Finn Allen in the middle order during the five-match ODI series against India that begins on November 4 in Auckland. Head coach Rob Walter said the move aims to exploit Allen's power-hitting against spinners and part-time bowlers between overs 25 and 40. Allen has not played an ODI in more than three years and usually opens in T20 cricket. Mitchell Santner will captain the side. Rachin Ravindra returns after injury for the first three ODIs, while Lockie Ferguson will play only the final two matches as part of a workload-management plan. Will O'Rourke is returning gradually from a lower-back injury and Ben Sears is recovering from ankle surgery. New Zealand have named a split squad because several players will prepare for the two-Test series against Australia after the third ODI. BJ Watling has been appointed batting coach.