Here’s a common example of how human psyche works. We tend to look up to those who serve an example of excellence. This is so because there’s something in people who inspire. Only then do we want to adapt ourselves to them- right?
Matt Henry, who hit arguably, the best square drive by a fast-bowler thus far in the CWC 19 (off Mustafizur) in that close run-chase, just a few minutes back seems to function in that way.
He’s a performer who has been in the shadow of famous names. In his immediate periphery, he’s got an outstanding fast bowling duo. Boult and Southee have been shining bright for the Kiwis since over a decade. Among them, they’ve got 335 ODI scalps.
No joke. This is a tall order. It’s a stiff ask for any pacer to match and then better- right?
But, 27-year-old Christchurch-express is not a slouch performer either.
In the ongoing spectacle, Henry is expected to play a key role in New Zealand’s chances of winning their first world cup.
Your success depends on how much you work during your tough times.
Matt Henry who had spent entire 2017 and early 2018 on the bench was offered a county stint in English county season for Kent.
Guided by legendary Allan Donald, Henry took 74 wickets at a stunning average of 14.6.
The experience that he had garnered last year proved handful against Sri Lanka where he ripped the opposition’s top order. The performance becomes even more vital as it came after a serious hammering in a warm game against West Indies.
Henry’s success has proved that New Zealand boasts a very strong pace arsenal at the Cricket’s showpiece event and especially the backup seamers in Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson can destroy the opposition on any day. While Trent Boult and Tim Southee bring with them loads of flair and experience, it is the presence of blokes like Henry and Ferguson that gives New Zealand extra pace which is needed on batting belters available in this World Cup.
Against Sri Lanka, Henry bowled consistently over 140 km per hour and extracted most of the seam and swing from the pitch. It is easier to say that the pitch assisted him but when a bowler like Trent Boult struggles on such a surface you have to appreciate Henry for his performance.
Henry who has been on the International scene for quite some time has a very impressive record in limited overs cricket where he has picked 81 wickets in just 44 matches at just 25.60.
However playing at a time when New Zealand possesses arguably their greatest pace attack in Tim Southee, Trent Boult, and Neil Wagner, Matt Henry couldn’t get continuous chances in Test cricket while in limited overs New Zealand have been trying hard to get in more all-rounders which is the reason why he has played only 44 matches in over 5 years for his team. As I write these lines Matt Henry has put up another impressive performance against Bangladesh picking up 4-47.
New Zealand will rely a lot on their bowling attack on flat decks in this World cup to limit the opposition. While they have a strong batting unit which includes some world class batsmen but it is the bowlers who will have to make sure that history is created and as such Matt Henry will be an important cog in New Zealand’s plan.
