Matt Henry Archives

Jayden Seales named in nominee’s for ICC Men’s Player of the Month

DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday announced the nominees for the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for August 2025, including West Indies fast bowler Jayden Seales.

Along with Seales, New Zealand fast bowler Matt Henry and India’s pacer Mohammed Siraj have also been shortlisted due to their stellar performances.

Jayden Seales was pivotal in the West Indies’ success over Pakistan in the ODI series.

Last month, the West Indies defeated Pakistan for the first time in 34 years in an ODI series. Seales showcased his dominance throughout the series, picking up 10 wickets in three matches at a mouth-watering average of 10.

He did not have the best of an outing in the first ODI, with one wicket to his name. However, he made a comeback in the second ODI, picking up three wickets. His best came in the series decider, where he tore through the Pakistan batting line-up.

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He recorded career-best figures of 6-18, which were also the third best by a West Indies bowler in ODI history.

The second on the list, Mohammed Siraj, was named in the list due to his outstanding performance in the final Test against England, which helped India level the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.

The right-arm pacer remained pivotal throughout the series, particularly in the fifth Test at the Oval, where he scalped nine wickets.

Meanwhile, the third on the list, Matt Henry, was lethal with the ball against Zimbabwe in the Test series, which New Zealand won 2-0. The 33-year-old pacer took 16 wickets in two matches at a stellar average of just 9.12.

Henry rattled Zimbabwe’s batting lineup with a six-wicket haul in the first innings, followed by another three wickets in the second innings to bag the Player of the Match award.

He did not stop there and continued his excellent bowling form in the second Test, bagging another five-wicket haul and picking up two wickets in the second innings to give Black Caps a massive victory of an innings and 359 runs.

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Henry, Santner help New Zealand outplay Zimbabwe in first Test

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner and Matt Henry helped BlackCaps seal a nine-wicket win on the third day of the first Test against Zimbabwe on Friday.

Zimbabwe managed to avoid an innings defeat, but New Zealand needed only eight runs to win.

Devon Conway hit a four but then edged a ball from Newman Nyamhuri into his stumps before Henry Nicholls hit the winning boundary in Nyamhuri’s next over.

Santner took four for 27 as Zimbabwe, needing 158 to avoid an innings defeat, were bowled out for 165.

Zimbabwe resumed on 31 for two and quickly lost overnight batter Nick Welch and nightwatchman Vincent Masekesa to fast bowler Will O’Rourke.

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Veteran left-handers Sean Williams (49) and Craig Ervine (22) shared a fifth-wicket stand of 57 but were dismissed in successive overs by Santner and Matt Henry shortly before lunch.

Sikandar Raza and Newman Nyamburi fell soon after the interval, but wicketkeeper Tafadzwa Tsiga (27) and fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani (19) put on 36 for the ninth wicket before Santner dismissed both batters.

New Zealand were hampered by the absence of pace bowlers Nathan Smith, who suffered an abdominal injury while batting on Thursday, and O’Rourke, who was feeling stiffness after his morning spell.

The teams meet again in the second Test at the same venue from Thursday. The two-match series is not part of the World Test Championship.

READ: Blow for England as key player ruled out of remainder of final India Test

Henry’s six-fer puts New Zealand in control in first Test against Zimbabwe

Matt Henry took a six-wicket haul to propel the Blackcaps into a dominant position on the opening day of the first New Zealand vs Zimbabwe Test at Queens Sports Club on Wednesday.

Fast bowler Henry took six for 39 as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 149 after winning the toss and deciding to bat.

New Zealand were 92 for no wicket at the close, with Devon Conway and Will Young unbeaten on 51 and 41 respectively.

Henry, who was voted the best player of a Twenty20 tri-series tournament that ended on Saturday, did not take long to adjust to red-ball cricket in New Zealand’s first Test since December last year.

Henry dismissed both Zimbabwe opening batters, Brian Bennett (6) and Ben Curran (13), inside the first seven overs.

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He took two more wickets in an over interrupted by the lunch break, then came back to finish off the innings with his final two victims shortly after tea.

Seamer Nathan Smith took three for 20 in 14 tight overs.

Captain Craig Ervine, who took 23 balls to score his first run, top-scored for Zimbabwe with 39, eked out over 116 deliveries.

Ervine and Nick Welch (27) put on 36 for the fourth wicket after Zimbabwe were reeling at 31 for three.

But Henry returned for the last over before lunch to have Welch caught at second slip. Three balls later, after lunch, he had the experienced Sikandar Raza caught behind for two.

Ervine and wicketkeeper Tafadzwa Tsiga (30) added 54 for the sixth wicket to lift Zimbabwe from 69 for five. Smith trapped both batsmen leg before wicket shortly before tea, and Zimbabwe’s resistance crumbled.

In reply, Conway and Young batted through to the close of play, scoring steadily after a cautious start.

Zimbabwe opening bowler Blessing Muzarabani had an opening spell of eight overs but was unable to make a breakthrough.

Conway reached his fifty in the penultimate over of the day, his first Test half-century since he made 76 against India in Pune last October. Seven innings since then had yielded a highest score of 22.

Since New Zealand’s last Test match against England in 2024, Zimbabwe has played eight Tests.

However, Zimbabwe has lost six, drawn one, and had a single victory, against Bangladesh in Sylhet in April.

The second New Zealand vs Zimbabwe Test will be played from 7 to 11 August at the same ground.

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New Zealand pacer ruled out of remainder of Pakistan series

Pace bowler Matt Henry has been officially ruled out of the remainder of the T20I series against Pakistan, as confirmed by New Zealand Cricket (NZC) on Saturday.

Henry, who sustained the right-shoulder injury during the ICC Champions Trophy semi-final win against South Africa, has also been managing an ongoing left knee issue.

Although initially included in the squad for the series, he will now focus on rehabilitation instead of playing the remaining matches.

Zakary Foulkes, who was initially selected for the first three matches, has been retained for the final two T20Is to replace Matt Henry.

The young pacer has shown glimpses of his potential, returning figures of 1 for 11 in three overs during the first T20I, followed by none for 32 in the second match.

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In another change, Kyle Jamieson has been omitted from the squad for the remaining matches.

The towering pacer was named Player of the Match in the first T20I after a stellar 3 for 8 performance but struggled in the third game, conceding 54 runs without taking a wicket, a match that saw Pakistan secure their first win of the series.

To bolster their pace attack, Will O’Rourke, who was initially part of the squad for only the first three games, has now been added to the squad for the final two matches in place of Jamieson.

New Zealand currently leads the five-match series 2-1 against Pakistan. The fourth T20I is set to take place on Sunday in Mount Maunganui, followed by the final match on Wednesday in Wellington.

New Zealand squad for the remainder of the T20I series against Pakistan

Michael Bracewell (c), Finn Allen, Mitchell Hay (wk), Tim Robinson, Tim Seifert (wk), Mark Chapman, Zakary Foulkes, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Jacob Duffy, Will O’Rourke, Ben Sears, Ish Sodhi.

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New Zealand ‘hopeful’ over Matt Henry injury for Champions Trophy final

New Zealand head coach Gary Stead expressed hope that pace bowler Matt Henry will recover from a shoulder injury in time for their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final against India, scheduled to be played on Sunday.

Henry is racing to be fit for the title clash in Dubai after he injured his right shoulder while taking a catch in the semi-final win over South Africa on Wednesday.

“Look, Matt Henry obviously landed on his shoulder, and it was pretty uncomfortable,” Stead told reporters on Friday.

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“I guess the positive thing from our perspective is he got back out there to bowl.”

Matt Henry has been key to the title hopes of New Zealand in the eight-team tournament and returned figures of 5-42 against India in a group match that the Black Caps lost.

Henry took a catch to dismiss Heinrich Klaasen in South Africa’s chase of 363 in Lahore but landed awkwardly during the effort. He went off the field but returned to bowl two more overs in his spell of seven.

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“We’ve had some scans and stuff done on him, and we’re going to give him every chance to be playing in this match,” said Stead.

“So still a little bit unknown at this stage. He’s obviously pretty sore just from landing on the point of his shoulder. Hopefully, he will be okay.”

New Zealand Squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Mitchell Santner (c), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Jacob Duffy, Nathan Smith, Kane Williamson, Will Young.

READ: ICC reveals match officials for Champions Trophy 2025 final

Kyle Jamieson replaces injured Matt Henry in New Zealand’s ICC World Cup 2023 squad

New Zealand have named right-arm pace bowler Kyle Jamieson as a replacement for fellow pace bowler Matt Henry, who has been ruled out of the ICC World Cup 2023 due to the hamstring injury he picked up during the match against South Africa.

The 31-year-old Henry broke down midway through his sixth over during the 190-run thrashing by South Africa in the ICC World Cup 2023 group game in Pune on Wednesday.

An MRI scan revealed he had a grade-two tear of his right hamstring, with the recovery time estimated at between two and four weeks.

“We are gutted for him,” New Zealand coach Gary Stead said in Bengaluru, where his injury-hit side faces a must-win clash with Pakistan on Saturday.

“Matt’s been a crucial part of our one-day side for a long time and to see him ruled out as we reach the business end of this tournament is immensely disappointing.

“He’s consistently been ranked inside the ICC top 10 ODI bowlers for the past few years, which is testament to his class and skills.”

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New Zealand are fourth in the 10-team table but victories in their last two group games should see the 2019 runners-up into the semi-finals of ICC World Cup 2023.

Jamieson arrived in Bengaluru late on Thursday and was expected to train with the team on Friday.

The towering 28-year-old, who underwent back surgery in February, was previously with the New Zealand squad in India as cover for Tim Southee.

Jamieson has taken 14 wickets in 13 ODIs and has so far enjoyed greater success in Test cricket.

But his height and ability to move the ball could pose problems in India, with Stead saying: “We’re fortunate to have a player of the class of Kyle waiting in the wings.

“His skills and physical attributes always make him a threat with the ball and it’s an added bonus he was able to train with us in the first two weeks of the tournament.”

New Zealand have been beset by injuries during ICC World Cup 2023 with star batsman Kane Williamson (thumb) and all-rounder Mark Chapman (thigh) both currently sidelined.

But victories over Pakistan and Sri Lanka in their last two pool games should still see them through to the last four in the ICC World Cup 2023.

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New Zealand call up Kyle Jamieson as cover for Matt Henry

New Zealand have called Kyle Jamieson into their ICC World Cup 2023 squad as cover while fellow pace bowler Matt Henry awaits the results of a scan on a hamstring injury.

Jamieson, previously with the squad in India as cover for Tim Southee, will arrive in Bengaluru late on Thursday ahead of Saturday’s pool game against Pakistan.

New Zealand coach Gary Stead said that with Henry awaiting the results of a scan on his right hamstring and fast bowler Lockie Ferguson recovering from an Achilles injury, the Black Caps had to summon cover.

They have two group games remaining and a place in the semi-finals of ICC World Cup 2023 is still up for grabs.

“The severity of Matt’s injury, combined with a short turnaround to Pakistan, meant we couldn’t risk being a bowler down for Saturday,” Stead said on Thursday.

“Matt’s been a world-class performer for us in ODI cricket for the past two World Cup cycles so we’ve got our fingers crossed for the scan results later today,” he added.

Stead was confident it would not take long for the towering 28-year-old Kyle Jamieson, who has taken 14 wickets in 13 ODIs, to re-adjust to Indian conditions.

“Kyle’s on his way over as we speak and we look forward to welcoming him back into the group,” he said.

Stead added: “He’ll likely train with us on Friday with a mind to being available for Saturday’s game.”

New Zealand have been beset by injuries during ICC World Cup 2023 with star batsman Kane Williamson (thumb) and all-rounder Mark Chapman (thigh) both currently sidelined.

The 2019 World Cup finalists endured a 190-run thrashing by South Africa on Thursday, with Henry breaking down midway through his sixth over.

Their third defeat of this World Cup meant New Zealand slipped to fourth in the 10-team table with eight points, two ahead of Pakistan as well as Afghanistan, who have a game in hand.

But victories over Pakistan and Sri Lanka in their last two pool games should still see them through to the last four in the ICC World Cup 2023.

READ: Mitchell Marsh returns home from ICC World Cup 2023 for personal reasons

Bracewell replaces injured Henry in New Zealand squad for Pakistan ODIs

KARACHI: New Zealand made a last-minute change to their ODI squad ahead of the series opener against Pakistan, today, after fast bowler Matt Henry was ruled out of the side after picking an abdominal injury.

All-rounder Doug Bracewell received a late call-up to the Black Caps white-ball squad for ODIs in Pakistan and India as a replacement to Henry, who sustained the injury during the second Test against Pakistan.

The 32-year-old Bracewell is set to make his first appearance for the New Zealand side since April 2021 against the Netherlands.

“Matt has been one of the leaders of our ODI attack for a number of years and I know he’s disappointed to be missing out because of injury.” Kiwis head coach Gary Stead said.

“With important home series coming up, it’s vital he has time to recover properly over the coming weeks.”

New Zealand coach believed Bracewell would add experience to the side since he was familiar with the subcontinent conditions.

“Doug is a quality bowler with a lot of experience and we feel his skills best compliment the bowling mix we already have in the squads for Pakistan and India.He has experience across all three formats at international level, has experience in the subcontinent, and has already shown his range of skills this season.” Stead said.

It is pertinent to mention here that New Zealand will play three-match ODI series against Pakistan, commencing today, with the second and the final matches on January 11 and 13, respectively.

ODI Squads:

Pakistan: Babar Azam (captain), Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haris Sohail, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Shahnawaz Dahani, Shan Masood, Tayyab Tahir and Usama Mir

New Zealand: Kane Williamson (c), Tom Latham, Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Doug Bracewell, Blair Tickner, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Henry Shipley, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee.

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