New Zealand player Matt Henry is a doubtful starter for the West Indies series due to the finger injury he had sustained.
While preparing for the ongoing Plunket Shield, New Zealand bowler Matt Henry suffered from a broken thumb. There, he sustained the fracture after being hit on his right hand while batting in the nets in Canterbury. With that, it is a bit doubtful if he can make it to the T20 series against West Indies.
The injury which he had sustained is expected to take four to six weeks before being fully healed. With that, he may not yet be fully recovered on November 27 when the first T20I of the series is scheduled to take place.
Henry’s condition was further explained by Canterbury physio Tim Dovbysh who said, ‘Matt was unfortunately struck on the tip of the right thumb while batting in the nets. Matt got an X-ray immediately after training which confirmed the fracture. He'll need a temporary rest from bowling but will still add value to the team at trainings and will start bowling when able’.
This is not the first injury that the 28-year-old player has sustained. Earlier this year, Henry also happened to have his left thumb broken on the opening day of their team’s third Test match against Australia in Sydney. Sadly for the team, Henry’s injury happened at a time when they were on a busy summer schedule.
Prior to this injury, Henry was already doing well as he had already pulled off a nice performance for Canterbury where he had managed to take a four-wicket haul against Wellington. In that match held last week, he managed to bowl out their opponents for 65 in the first innings.
So far, Tyler Lortan replaced Henry in the ongoing Plunket Shield. Meanwhile, there is still no replacement for him in the upcoming West Indies tour which comprises three T20Is and two Test matches scheduled from November 27 to December 15. To further understand these cricket formats, check out the quick sports guide on Betwala.
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