India New Zealand fast bowler Matt Henry has been ruled out of the upcoming ODI series against Pakistan and India due to an abdominal strain. Henry’s injury kept him out of the ODIs against Pakistan.
On the final day of the second Karachi Test, the 31-year-old played through the injury in what head coach Gary Stead called “a gutsy effort.” With the rest of the Test team, he will now return home.
The management of the team has not yet sought a replacement player, but Jacob Duffy is a possibility.
Stead stated, “It has been tough playing ten days out of the last 12 [in Karachi], and those were full days without any weather breaks.” I suppose it is only natural for players to wear out after eight practice sessions in each Test match.
After Adam Milne pulled out earlier this week, citing concerns about his preparation following a hamstring injury, Henry’s injury further depletes New Zealand’s stocks for the white-ball assignments in the subcontinent.
After suffering a back injury during the England tour in June, Kyle Jamieson is the latest seamer to miss time. However, he is getting close to making his domestic debut in the T20 Super Smash with the Auckland Aces.
Stead said of Jamieson, “He’s due to start playing for Auckland again within about a week or so.” We’ll decide closer to the England test series whether that’s a step too far or when he should play again. He has been out of cricket for a long time, so I don’t think it would be wise to push him too hard and put him back in.”
Stead effectively ruled out Trent Boult’s participation in the two-match home series against England beginning on February 16 in Mount Maunganui, though Jamieson and Henry may still return. The left-arm seamer, who is currently playing for Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League, was the first well-known player to turn down a central contract last year.
In the upcoming ILT20 league’s inaugural season, which is scheduled to last until February 12, he will team up with the MI Emirates.
“Trent and I have talked, and I think he would return from the UAE just a day or two before [the England series].” Stead stated, “I think [playing England] is] out of the picture from a workload perspective.”