By Sahil Kohli
Harare [Zimbabwe], October 2 : Former New Zealand batter and globe-trotting franchise cricket star Colin Munro said that he would like to see international T20s scrapped in favour of franchise leagues, and cricket should go for a football-like model with a World Cup every four years.
While talking to ANI on the sidelines of the recently-concluded Zim Afro T10 tournament in Harare, Munro discussed the battle of franchise cricket versus international cricket, the new stars on the New Zealand cricket circuit who could become superstars of the future, his favourite T20 batters, and his favourite 'Fab Four' batter among Joe Root, Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, and Kane Williamson.
Speaking on the recent trend of Kiwi stars like Kane Williamson, Finn Allen, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson, Adam Milne, Devon Conway, etc in favour of some franchise cricket action or more lighter schedule to help spend more time with loved ones, Munro said that most of the times, the players' decisions are "financial".
"You know, you say they want a lighter schedule. I am not sure about that. Some of them say that, but it is, you know, you have got to be realistic and say why they are not taking a contract. It is purely financial, I think, in my opinion. But, you know, I think there has to be something a little bit because, you know, people go, oh yeah, Colin chose to go franchise cricket and all this sort of stuff, but it was not as black and white as that," said Munro.
Munro, now 37, said as he was facing some financial difficulties when he was around 33, playing domestic cricket after not being picked for Kiwis at international level. It was during this time he got to sign a Big Bash League (BBL) with Perth Scorchers, featuring in 2020-21 season of the league, scoring 443 runs in 16 games with four half-centuries and a strike rate of over 128.





Munro said that while there is nothing like "too much cricket" right now, there is still a lot of cricket happening nonetheless which is sometimes not a good thing for players.
Naming his favourite 'Fab Four' batter, Munro chose England's star Joe Root, who has been making waves with his ultra-consistent run in Tests over last two-three years. The left-hander noted that Root is a "silent assassin" who accumulates loads of runs without taking much big risks and an aerial route.
"Joe Root I would say. I have seen him play in The Hundred. He does not get a lot of chances to play in white-ball cricket as much as he would like. I have seen him develop that side of his game. You cannot bowl any dots to him. He is on 80 in 80 balls, and you would think how did he do that. He is a silent assassin. He just knocks it around and gets an odd boundary there. He is doing well in Test cricket too. He is going at an SR of 70 but he never looks rushed. His Test cricket over the last few years is great. If he gets to play at number three in white-ball cricket, I think he would do a great job," he said.
In the ongoing ICC World Test Championship 2023-25, Root is the top-scorer with 1,398 runs at an average of 53.76 in 16 Tests, with five centuries and six fifties in 29 innings. His best score is 143.
Munro also chose Nicholas Pooran as the best T20 batter out now, noting how unbelievable his bat swing is.
Speaking on other stars of the format like Jos Buttler, Suryakumar Yadav, Travis Head, etc, Munro added, "I would put Jos Buttler in it too. They all bat in different positions, Head at the top order. I do not think he would play as freely in the middle order. Suryakumar manipulates the field really well and has the ability to do what he does. I know Klaasen has been doing really well over the last couple of years, but Nicholas Pooran, I am going to say, (best T20 batter). His bat swing is unbelievable. Watching Pooran in CPL, even when he was 19, 20, was great. Now he has become more consistent for the West Indies at number three or wherever he plays. He is phenomenal."
Pooran holds the world record for most runs in T20s during a single calendar year, with 2,251 runs in 68 matches and 67 innings this year at an average of 45.02, with a strike rate of 160.90. He has also got a century and 15 fifties, with the best score being 101.
On the rising New Zealand all-rounder Rachin Ravindra, Munro said that his work ethic is great and he loves batting.




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On being a part of the Zim Afro T10 tournament with Durban Wolves, Munro said that while the performances were not the greatest, it was still a great one.
"You cannot always judge a tournament on your performance; it is also about how your team gelled together and how you made new friendships with new players. The tournament has been great, but performances have not been the greatest. Some players put their hands up to play T10 format, and some local players also did well. Hopefully, their career will kick off and go to the next level," he said.
Durban Wolves could win just one out of their seven games, finishing last in the points table. Munro scored 166 runs in six matches at an average of 33.20, with two fifties.
On who could be the future stars for New Zealand, Munro picked Rachin and some other up and coming talent.
"I think Rachin is there now as a superstar ready. William O' Rourke. What I have seen on TV, I am impressed. The way he moves the ball in, bowls at a fine pace. Ben Sears (one Test and 17 T20Is for NZ) I like Josh Clarkson (all-rounder with three ODIs and six T20Is for NZ)," he concluded.