Last Updated on 17 seconds ago by Charbel Coorey
Matt Henry’s 11-wicket haul against England at The Oval – his first 10-fer in Test cricket – serves as a reminder of the pace bowler’s remarkable rise since 2020. Henry’s numbers and consistency places him among the top Test cricketers this decade, a reality that seemed far fetched six years ago.
Matt Henry one of Test cricket’s elite bowlers since the end of 2020
By the end of the COVID-affected year, Henry had 30 Test wickets to his name at an average of 50.2 and strike rate of 92. In five innings across 2019 and 20, Henry took five wickets at an average of 68.4, casting doubts as to his long-term role in the New Zealand team with Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Neil Wagner forming an excellent trio.
However, Henry has enjoyed one of the great turnarounds, with his ability to move the ball both ways the cornerstone of his success. Since the start of 2021, the pace bowler has taken 122 wickets at an eyewatering average of 20.1, including eight five-wicket hauls.
His numbers are even better since 2024, with 80 wickets at a remarkable 15.87 runs per wicket. Only Jasprit Bumrah (102) and Mitchell Starc (91) have taken more wickets in this period, both at a higher average (17.12 for Bumrah, 22.69 for Starc). Only Josh Hazlewood (14.96) has a better average among bowlers with at least 50 wickets in this timeframe.
“He’s been an absolute weapon for us, so consistent and so accurate,” said captain Tom Latham after New Zealand’s 253-run victory over England at The Oval, as quoted by stuff.co.nz. “Since he’s been able to take a new ball and been the leader of the attack, he’s certainly gone from strength to strength.”
Latham also shed light on Henry’s leadership. The pace bowler not only delivers the goods himself, but offers advice to other members of the New Zealand bowling unit.
“Not only with the ball, but the way he speaks to the other bowlers, he certainly leads the attack really well,” Latham said.
“He’s a very valued member of this side, certainly from a leadership point of view. I couldn’t think of a better man to be in that position.”
Henry’s 11-wicket haul against England (five wickets in the first innings, six in the second) is the first time a pace bowler in 50 years – home or visitor – to take twin five-fors at The Oval. The last player to achieve the feat was the great Michael Holding way back in 1976.
