Colin Munro has not played for New Zealand since 2021. Photo/Getty Images
Former Black Caps batsman Colin Munro believes he has been placed on New Zealand Cricket's “blacklist” for opting to be traded as a Twenty20 freelancer.
Munro, 37, has not played for the Black Caps at any level since 2020, but officially confirmed on Friday that his time as an international player is over.
Munro has not represented New Zealand in more than four years, but is one of the most recognizable faces in the franchise game and a regular in overseas Twenty20 leagues.
But Munro told Newstalk ZB's Jason Pyne that he questioned the attitude of New Zealand Cricket and former chief executive David White, who looked down on players trying to make the most of their professional opportunities. embraced.
“We are always available,” he said. “I think under David White, if you were playing franchise cricket in New Zealand and you weren’t playing domestic cricket, you were sort of blacklisted.
“That was never said [like] For me it was, but I think it was. Players like Anton Devcic, myself and Mitchell McClenaghan have chosen franchise cricket.
“As soon as you stopped playing in New Zealand, they put a black mark next to your name. You weren't going to play.”
Munro is not alone in this regard.
Martin Guptill, one of New Zealand's white-ball greats, has not worn the Silver Fern at any level since opting out of his central contract at the end of 2022.
However, under new chief executive Scott Wienink, New Zealand Cricket appears to have relaxed its selection criteria.
The pair of Trent Boult and Jimmy Neesham, neither of whom have signed a center contract to pursue franchise opportunities, will play at last year's 50-over World Cup in India and the Caribbean and America. He has been selected in the squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
With the Black Caps opting for a significantly reduced squad for the Pakistan tour earlier this year, Munro accepted an offer to return to the squad to spend time with his family after completing his stint at Islamabad United. I refused.
At the time, Black Caps chief selector Sam Wells said Munro remained an option in New Zealand's 15-man squad. However, when the team name was announced at the end of April, Munro's name was still missing.
And Munro also wondered why New Zealand Cricket's approach to him was completely ignored, despite their initial approach to see him return.
“It was my dream and I thought it was gone,” he said. “Then, out of the blue, I got a phone call. [to ask] Can I participate in the World Cup?
“You get up and move around and start thinking and dreaming like a little kid. You haven't played for four years, so in a situation that I know well in Trinidad, you probably put on the black jersey and play for the last time. I think I can stand up to say hurray.
“Then the World Cup squad was announced. I'm not going to lie, I was a little disappointed that I couldn't be there just because I was in the negotiations and in the slot.
“But I can totally understand why. Those boys deserve it and I'll support them every step of the way.
“I don't know why it was put in front of me. I wanted to know if I had to go on the Pakistan tour? They told me I didn't have to, so I ultimately chose not to do so.
“If I had gone there and done well, I might not have been to the World Cup yet.”
If Munro had been selected for the World Cup, the Black Caps would have acquired a valuable asset.
In the history of T20 cricket, only 11 players have played more matches for the Black Caps.
Munro has made 428 appearances in the shortest format, 79 of which came for Trinbago Knight Riders in the Caribbean Premier League.
Trinbago's Brian Lara Cricket Academy is home to the Black Caps' three matches at this year's World Cup, against hosts West Indies, Uganda and Papua New Guinea.
At international level, Munro played 65 T20 Internationals and became the first man to score three centuries for his country in the shortest format.
That number could have been higher if he hadn't spent the past four years on the sidelines.
In 2020, Munro lost his central contract with New Zealand Cricket, opting to dedicate his career to the shortest format as a loan T20 gun.
Since then, he has gained experience playing everywhere from Australia's Big Bash League to Canada's Global T20.
alex powell online sports editor. NZ Herald. He has been a sports journalist since his 2016 and previously worked at both Newshub and 1News.