Matt Henry – An Important Cog in New Zealand’s World Cup Ambition

 

Matt Henry is not new to International Cricket but throughout his career he has been in shadow of more popular names but as New Zealand aim to win their maiden 50 over World Cup in India, Henry might play as important cog in team’s ambitions to win the coveted trophy.

 

As India gears up for hosting the Cricket World Cup in coming October, the participant countries have started their preparation for the marquee event. Amid these countries, New Zealand is aiming to win its first 50 Over World Cup. They were finalists in 2015 and 2019 edition but endured heartbreaks on both the occasions. This time though the team is determined to change their fortunes. The big challenge is get their premier players on the ground, with Ross Taylor retired and Martin Guptill out of favor, the onus was on Kane Williamson but injury to his knee has put the team in difficult position.

                         Matt Henry - He has to play important role if NZ has to win the World Cup  

On the bowling front, the team has got some relief with Trent Boult returning to the squad, his partnership with Tim Southee will be crucial for New Zealand to get early breakthrough. It is howeverthe supporting cast which will be more crucial to ensure the pressure is sustained on the opposition. In such scenario Kyle Jamieson, Lockie Ferguson, Adam Milne and Matt Henry’s role becomes critical. On spin friendly pitches New Zealand might be playing with 2 specialist spinners and 3 specialist pacers and array of all-rounder’s. In such a scenario the fight for third place will become intense with Kylie Jamieson’s height and batting prowess makes him favourable contender. However Henrey’s ability to bowl cutters and slower ones makes him a strong candidate to play at some stage of the tournament.

Henry’s career is 9-year-old, but he has played in only 21 Tests out of 65 Tests New Zealand have played during this time (2015-2023). Trent Boult’s decision to give up New Zealand’s central contract has proved beneficial for him. Since 2022 he has opened the bowling with Tim Southee and impressed everyone but with 72 Wickets in 21 Tests at 37.34, there is lot of scope of improvement in his Test Record.

In 50 Overs side though he has been an important cog in New Zealand’s side. Since his debut in January 2014, he is the second highest wicket taker beyond Trent Boult. Boult has taken 181 wickets in 91 Matches with an average of 23.19 while Henry has 127 wickets in just 72 One Day Internationals at an average of 25.59. While in the initial years he had few opportunities to prove himself whenever he played, he contributed to the cause of the team.

Apart from his ability to pick wickets at regular intervals, he has better fitness than Jamieson, Ferguson and Milne. New Zealand will need its fittest option during the World Cup to soak up the pressure.Moreover, the team would need their recent performances to be backed in order to be picked in the final XI. Henry has 29 wickets in 17 Matches in last 19 Months to his name which is the most taken by a New Zealander during this period.

But all these numbers might also not guarantee him a place in the final XI. With Boult and Southee sure starters, New Zealand might prefer Kyle Jamieson as third seamer with two spin options. It would be though very hard for the team management not to include Henry in the playing XI for it was he who dismantled Indian batting line up in the 2019 World Cup Semifinals with a sensational spell of 3-37. He was rightly adjudged as player of the match.

New Zealand have seemed some of its finest cricketing days since 2013, for the first time a collective bunch of high-quality cricketers came together in one generation. Ross Taylor, Brendon McCullum, Kane Williamson, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling and Tom Latham. The support players included Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Marin Guptill who have ably supported the golden generation of Kiwi players. A number of them have retired while few others are on verge of finishing their careers. This would be their final opportunity to take on the coveted trophy which they have missed out in 2015 and 2019 by just one step.

Therefore, for Henry and a few others this might be the last shot, he will be 36 by the next World Cup and few Kiwi players have played ODI World Cup beyond 35. This makes the current World Cup even more important for the current crop. Only time will tell whether this New Zealand team would be able to add one piece of missing glory in their otherwise shining resume.