Matt Henry is doubtful for the South Africa vs New Zealand semi-final 1 match, which is scheduled to be held at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on March 4. During the pre-match press conference, while captain Mitchell Santner was speaking with the media, informed that the pacer was yet to join the team.
The Kiwi pacer had to return home for the birth of his child. He is expected to join the team on the night of March 3, and New Zealand’s match is on March 4, at 7.00 PM. Only a few hours before the fixture, Matt Henry will join the team.
During the press conference in Kolkata, Mitchell Santner informed that the pacer was yet to enter the Indian airspace. The team management is yet to take a final call on whether to play Henry against South Africa. Santner said that the pacer is in their equation, but the final decision will be taken tomorrow, on the match day, after measuring the bowler’s health conditions.
“Matt is currently in the air; he’s landing tonight, so I guess we'll see how he pulls up - it's obviously quite far away, New Zealand, from here. But he'll obviously have a little run around in the morning, see if he's ready to go. So yeah, hopefully he's good to go”, the New Zealand captain said in the pre-match press conference.
Matt Henry was in good form in the T20 World Cup 2026
The 34-year-old seamer was in good form for the New Zealand cricket team before heading back home. Against Sri Lanka, on February 25, during the Super 8 stage, Matt Henry ran a rampage on the Lankan batting order, claiming 2 wickets in 2 overs, including a maiden over, offering only 3 runs.
In the following match, against England, on February 27, the right-arm quick took the wicket of Phil Salt to conclude his 2.3 overs bowling spell for 1/19.
New Zealand faced South Africa in this tournament on February 14 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. South Africa, the undefeated side in the T20 World Cup 2026 so far, won the match by 7 wickets and with 17 balls remaining.
South Africa paceman Marco Jansen took on the New Zealand batting order
South African pacer Marco Jansen almost single-handedly clinched the top order of the opposition team. New Zealand openers Tim Seifert and Finn Allen felt short against Marco Jansen.
Number three batter of the Kiwi batting order, Rachin Ravindra, and middle-order batter Glenn Phillips were dismissed by the same pacer. Batting first, New Zealand registered a competitive total of 175 for the loss of 7 wickets.
In the second innings, when New Zealand was putting in all the efforts to protect the total, Matt Henry proved expensive, leaking 38 runs in 4 overs without taking any wickets. Jacob Duffy turned out to be the most expensive bowler of the night for the Blackcaps as he conceded a total of 50 runs in his 3-over spell.
Read More: South Africa Playing XI vs New Zealand Playing XI - 1st Semi-Final | ICC T20 World Cup 2026
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