Twin tons follow huge form slump

After a horror start to 2017, unwanted Black Caps batsman Colin Munro has smashed his second century in the space of four days to make a compelling case for an international recall.

Munro had been dismissed for less than five in seven of his 10 innings this year before the weekend, with three ducks and scores of 1, 2, 3 and 3 accompanying totals of 23, 62 and a stunning 101 in a T20 international against Bangladesh on January 6.

That 54-ball knock, featuring seven sixes, seemed a world away when the left-hander struggled through a short stint with the Sydney Sixers in the KFC Big Bash League and was dropped from New Zealand's one-day international side earlier this month, with his other five innings for NZ this year returning scores of 0, 0, 2, 3 and 0.

But on his return to domestic first-class cricket with Auckland this weekend, Munro blasted 146 from just 109 deliveries on day two of the match against Central Districts, hitting 16 fours and seven sixes.

He then backed it up with 142 from 103 balls on day four, a knock featuring 15 fours and five sixes.

Munro's batting has been reminiscent of a world record-breaking Plunket Shield display two summers ago, also against Central Districts. The bludgeoning left-hander struck 281 from 167 balls in Napier, featuring 23 sixes, the most in any first-class innings.

Interestingly, his first-class average from 43 matches is now 52.39, better than any of the current New Zealand Test squad, including captain Kane Williamson (48.20).

Munro has played one Test, against his native South Africa four years ago.

He has been a match-winner at times during his 32 Twenty20 internationals but is a less effective performer at ODI level having averaged just 26 from 20 matches.