New Zealand are “hopeful” pace bowler Matt Henry will recover from a shoulder injury in time for their Champions Trophy final against India on Sunday, coach Gary Stead said.
Henry is racing to be fit for the title clash in Dubai after injuring his right shoulder while taking a catch in the semi-final win over South Africa on Wednesday.
Henry has been key to New Zealand’s hopes in the 50-over tournament and returned figures of 5-42 against India in a dead-rubber group match that the Black Caps lost.
“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,” Stead said on Friday. “So still a little bit unknown at this stage. He’s obviously pretty sore just from landing on the point of his shoulder. Hopeful he will be okay.”
Henry took a catch to dismiss Heinrich Klaasen in South Africa’s chase of 363 in Lahore and landed awkwardly.
He went off the field but returned to bowl two more overs in his spell of seven.
“I guess the positive thing from our perspective is he got back out there to bowl,” said Stead.
With Trent Boult and Tim Southee retired, New Zealand have depended on their inexperienced pace bowlers to get early breakthroughs. Apart from Henry, who is a veteran of 91 ODIs, fellow quicks Will O’Rourke and Kyle Jamieson have 29 ODI matches between them.
“We’re possibly one of the most inexperienced groups that are here,” Stead said of his pace attack. “And Will O’Rourke, Kyle Jamieson, for example, they haven’t played a lot of one-day cricket or ICC tournament cricket either. “So for them to keep standing up on this stage is very good, especially after the loss of a Southee, a Bolt.”
New Zealand’s men won their only white-ball global tournament in 2000 when they beat India to lift the Champions Trophy.
However, the New Zealand women’s team last year won the T20 World Cup in Dubai.
“I think if New Zealand can get up and win this, it’d be a real credit to the players and what they’ve done,” said Stead. “They’re a tight-knit bunch. We enjoy each other’s company and I’m sure it’ll be a real coup for New Zealand, especially here in Dubai after the women won the T20 World Cup here as well.”
New Zealand are particularly wary of India’s spin force that got them bowled out for 205 in their chase of 250 in the two sides’ group match in Dubai.
Varun Chakravarthy played his first match of the tournament as part of a four-pronged spin attack to claim match-winning figures of 5-42. A mystery spinner who has many variations up his sleeve, Chakravarthy is a serious threat on a pitch that helps slower bowlers and where run-scoring is tough.
“I mean, they are very, very good spinners, all of them in their own right,” said Stead. “So for us it’s just being nice and clear on our plans and working out. So who knows? They might have off days as well, and that could be in our advantage.”
New Zealand won’t bottle it in final: Nasser Hussain
Former England captain Nasser Hussain has backed New Zealand to put up a strong performance in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final against India, claiming that the Black Caps will not “bottle” it this time. Hussain praised New Zealand’s consistency, highlighting their tough cricketers who always give their best in every game.
Speaking to a broadcast channel, Hussain recalled a conversation with former Australia batter Aaron Finch, who described New Zealand as a team that “doesn’t beat themselves.” He elaborated on this point, emphasizing that the Kiwis always show up and perform at their best, no matter the occasion.
“They will not bottle it, they won’t choke,” Hussain said. “Aaron Finch summed it up well – New Zealand are never a side that beats themselves. They have tough cricketers across the lineup who show up for every game and always give their absolute best. That’s why they’re always around in the semi-finals and finals,” he added.
Hussain also acknowledged India’s strength, saying that they are the firm favorites for the final, but New Zealand will make them earn the victory. “New Zealand have a great mixture of experienced players, like Kane Williamson, and talented youth, such as Rachin Ravindra. If India win, it will be because they beat New Zealand,” he concluded.
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