Courtesy: ICC/NZC
Following a shoulder injury suffered in the second semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, New Zealand fast bowler Matt Henry is doubtful to play the final of the tournament against India on Sunday, March 9, at the Dubai International Stadium. While the 33-year-old did bowl a couple of overs against South Africa at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore after picking up the injury, New Zealand head coach Gary Stead stated that the fitness status of the pacer is “unknown” just a couple of nights before the final.
Notably, the shoulder injury was suffered by Matt Henry while completing the catch to dismiss the dangerous Heinrich Klaasen of South Africa in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final. Following that, he delivered two overs in the latter stages of the match and dived around in the field, but at that point, New Zealand were well on their way to defeating the Proteas, to clinch a spot in the final against India.
He's obviously pretty sore just from landing on the point of his shoulder: Gary Stead on Matt Henry
While Mitchell Santner sounded hopeful about Matt Henry’s involvement in the Sunday’s showpiece game, Gary Stead gave a different take on the fitness status of the New Zealand pacer. He was quoted as saying, as per ESPNcricinfo, “I guess the positive thing from our perspective is he got back out there to bowl. 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. [But it's] still a little bit unknown at this stage.”
The New Zealand head coach also hoped to have Matt Henry fit and available to play India in the Champions Trophy final later this week, and remarked, “He's obviously pretty sore just from landing on the point of his shoulder. Hopefully he will be okay.” Moreover, during the ongoing tournament in Pakistan and the UAE, Matt Henry has picked up 10 wickets, including a five-wicket haul against India in their Group A clash last Sunday.
