Matt Henry’s participation in the Champions Trophy final against India is uncertain due to a shoulder injury. Although he returned to the field after the injury, head coach Gary Stead notes that his status is still unknown. Jacob Duffy is likely to replace him if he is unable to play.
Matt Henry, the New Zealand pacer, may not participate in the Champions Trophy final against India due to a shoulder injury sustained during the semifinal match against South Africa. Henry, the tournament’s leading wicket-taker, got injured while catching Heinrich Klaasen’s dismissal, although he managed to continue playing after the incident.
New Zealand’s captain, Mitchell Santner, expressed optimism regarding Henry’s availability for the final, citing the important three-day recovery period. Following his injury, Henry had returned to the field and even bowled, indicating a potential for recovery.
However, head coach Gary Stead stated during a press conference in Dubai that Henry’s participation remains uncertain. “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. It’s still a little bit unknown at this stage,” Stead remarked.
Historically, Henry has been a challenging opponent for India since the 2019 World Cup semifinal, recently dismissing five Indian batsmen during a group stage game through his effective seam movement. Should Henry be unable to play, Jacob Duffy is expected to step in as his replacement.
After returning from Lahore on Thursday, the New Zealand team opted not to hold a training session on Friday before the final.
The uncertainty surrounding Matt Henry’s participation in the Champions Trophy final raises significant concerns for New Zealand. His absence could impact the team’s performance, especially considering his past successes against India. As the team navigates this situation, the focus will remain on his recovery and readiness for the crucial match.
Original Source: indianexpress.com
