Colin Munro opts out of Test cricket to focus on limited-overs'

Durban-born New Zealand opening batsman Colin Munro has opted to sit out of Test cricket contention for the New Zealand Test squad. Having featured in just the solitary Test match against South Africa all those years ago in 2013, Munro has risen up the ranks to become one of the biggest stars in T20 cricket. His ability to hit the ball a country mile and the fact that he has a bevy of centuries to his name in the shortest format makes his prowess in T20 cricket extremely touted by franchises across the world.

More recently, Colin Munro has been a part of the New Zealand side for the Trans-Tasman series that was played in Australia and New Zealand, a tournament where he did indeed manage to give his side decent starts on a consistent basis. He is currently opening the batting for the Kiwis as they host the Englishmen in a five-match ODI series with one match to be played. He is opening the batting with Martin Guptill, with the confluence of two batsmen who are inherently attacking in nature has defied the odds from time to time.

Have a few goals that I’d like to achieve: Munro

Speaking about his decision to give up Test cricket, Munro went ahead and stated that he did indeed have a few goals that he had set for himself that he would like to achieve. In addition, Munro also went ahead and stated that the 2019 edition of the ICC Cricket World Cup was well and truly on his mind and it would be something he would like to focus on.

“I’m still 100 percent committed to playing for the Black Caps and Auckland Aces in the shorter formats and have some big goals I’d like to achieve,” Munro said.

“Obviously with the (ODI) World Cup next year, I’d love to give myself the best chance of making that squad and that’s where my main focus is.”

Munro has featured in 39 ODIs and 45 T20 internationals for the Black Caps and is the only batsman to have scored 3 centuries in T20 international cricket. He will be playing for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League.