Matt Henry rewrites history, becomes first bowler since Shane Warne to … | Cricket News
Matt HenryThe remarkable performance at the Oval not only helped New Zealand level the Test series against England, but also placed him alongside one of cricket’s biggest names in the local history books.The New Zealand fast bowler has since become the number one player Shane Warne during the 2005 Ashes to claim 10 or more wickets in a Test match at The Oval. He is also the first pace bowler to achieve the feat on the ground since Devon Malcolm’s memorable effort against South Africa in 1994.Henry produced a career-defining display as New Zealand beat England by 253 runs to level the series and force a decider in Nottingham. His match figures of 11-109, including 5-80 in the first innings and 6-29 in the second, were the best ever recorded by a New Zealand bowler against England in Test cricket.The achievement carried extra significance given Henry’s tough outing in the opening Test at Lord’s. The early morning back spasms severely limited the experienced bowler and left him feeling that he had not contributed as expected. Although he managed to take a wicket, he was far from his usual influential self.A 10-day break between Tests allowed the 34-year-old to fully recover, and he returned to the Oval with devastating effect.England resumed on the last day hoping for a miraculous chase, but Henry quickly extinguished those hopes. I got trapped Joe Root lbw for 77, becoming the first bowler to dismiss both Root and Harry Brook twice in the same Test match.The right-armer then tore through the lower order. Jofra ArcherHenry’s stumps were rocked by a delivery that went low, Matthew Fisher cut onto his stumps to become Henry’s 150th wicket, and Josh Tongue slipped to first slip as the paceman completed a sensational five-wicket haul in the innings.Henry’s spell on the final morning produced figures of 5-3 in just 31 deliveries as England’s resistance crumbled in less than an hour.“We have climbed to the top again and again,” the New Zealand captain Tom Latham he said. “Matt Henry is good at getting on the mark. First innings and second, he built the pressure through point balls and getting crucial wickets. He was a spearhead for us for a long period, nice for him to get the results.”Since the start of 2024, Henry has emerged as one of the most effective fast bowlers in world cricket. After spending most of his career in the shadow of Tim Southee and Trent Boult, he flourished as New Zealand’s pace boss, taking 80 wickets in his last 14 Tests and picking up seven of his eight career five-wicket hauls during that period.Reflecting on his turnaround from Lord’s to The Oval, Henry admitted the first Test was frustrating.“It feels bad when you leave the boys on the first day,” he said. “It was great to come here and get my quota down.”Henry also credited the wicketkeeper Tom Blundell for his role behind the stumps, particularly for standing at the wicket and helping to keep England’s batsmen uncertain about their footwork.“Having a world-class operator like Tom is huge,” said Henry. “It’s still about that. You can’t do it unless you have someone good behind the stumps. We know England like to create a flow of runs.”The pacer was equally quick to praise the New Zealand bowling unit as a whole.“It’s quite easy when you have a strong bowling group. Kyle (Jamieson) and Will (O’Rourke) coming back from injuries, their character to come back the way they have. Nathan Smith going from strength to strength. They’re just like the strength of the group.”For Henry, the Oval now holds a special place in his career. More than two decades after Warne’s famous Ashes performance, the New Zealand seamer etched his own name in the history of the land with a spell that ranks among the finest by a visiting bowler in England.
Post Comment