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BBL ace Munro opens up about NZ Cup snub

Rob ForsaithAAP
Kiwi Colin Munro (l) is hoping for another big season with the bat for Perth in the BBL.
Camera IconKiwi Colin Munro (l) is hoping for another big season with the bat for Perth in the BBL. Credit: AAP

Perth Scorchers' six-hitting star Colin Munro could have potentially been the difference for New Zealand at the Twenty20 World Cup.

Instead, Munro was restricted to TV punditry, lockdown in Auckland, and a feeling he'd been ushered into international retirement because he played BBL ahead of domestic cricket at home.

Munro, set to join Mitch Marsh as part of Perth's potent top order, insists he has made peace with the series of events that led to being snubbed from NZ's plucky World Cup campaign that culminated in a final loss to Australia.

But, boasting the fourth-highest overall T20I strike-rate among those to have faced more than a couple of balls, it would be easy to understand if there was lingering bitterness.

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Especially given the contrasting fate of compatriot and World Cup paceman Adam Milne, who also opted out of domestic contract to play BBL a year ago.

"That's the question I asked. Because I was told that 'you made the choice to go over to the Big Bash' and I took that on the chin because it was the best decision for me and my family," Munro said.

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"I asked about Milney, he gave up his contract.

"And I was sort of told that it's comparing apples and oranges. So I just sort of left it at that.

"At the time, to be honest I was very disappointed ... (with) the communication about why I wasn't selected, rather than 'guys have gone ahead of you'. I don't really see how that was, with my international record."

Munro, Martin Guptill's long-term opening partner prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, said it was tough watching a makeshift opener play for New Zealand at the tournament.

"But give credit to him, Daryl Mitchell batted really well," he said.

"I'm towards the back end my career, I can't be too bitter.

"My numbers are really, really good. But it's not always about the numbers, I think I've also fit in really well to the team, offer a little bit of leadership.

"I'd like to think I've grown up a little bit ... that chapter is probably closed and I'm fortunate enough there are some leagues around the world that I can still ply my trade in and get looked after pretty well."

Munro batted at first drop in 2020-21, when the Scorchers suffered a gutting SCG final loss to Sydney Sixers, but is ready to slide up or down the order to accommodate Marsh's elevation to No.3.

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