The soon-to-be-over season has been all about making the rare chances count for New Zealand pacer Matt Henry. He was recalled to the Test during the last two Tests in India when Tim Southee suffered an injury. He made an immediate impact by taking 6 wickets in the Kolkata Test. His next Test appearance came against Pakistan when Trent Boult was ruled out due to a knee injury. And although he failed to impress against Pakistan, he made his presence felt when he got the chance to partner Neil Wagner in the third Test against South Africa in Hamilton.
In the absence of Trent Boult and Tim Southee, the 25-year old starred with the ball, taking 4 for 93 as the hosts bowled the visitors out for 314. It was a really good performance from the Kiwi bowlers in the absence of two of their best bowlers and so it was not surprising to see their bowling coach Shane Jurgensen heap lavish praise on the man who played a big role in it.
“I thought it was awesome because he’s (Henry) been waiting all summer to get an opportunity,” said Jurgensen after the second day’s play.
“What I like about his bowling is it’s all energy, 100% energy the whole time. He reminds me of a few bowlers where I come from, like Andy Bichel,” said Jurgensen, who is an Australian. “He continues to run in and presents himself, bowls aggressively. Every now and then, he doesn’t quite execute, but that happens. He gives himself every opportunity. He’s a really good new-ball bowler. I’m really happy for him.”
New Zealand once again allowed the visitors to get off the hook as they were reeling at 190 for 6 before Quinton de Kock scored 90 to propel them to a 300-plus total.
Speaking about that phase, Jurgensen said:“It wasn’t so much what we bowled, we just didn’t quite execute. We didn’t quite get it right after a rain break, which is a shame because the boys warmed up properly and were ready to go. You have those periods. There are always one or two good partnerships in an innings and there was one at the end we didn’t want, but that happens.”
But the damage inflicted on the hosts was decreased to a certain extent after the New Zealand openers Tom Latham and Jeet Raval shared an unbeaten partnership of 67 runs to help their team grab the honours. Latham, who had scored only 24 runs in three innings of this series, was unbeaten on 42 while Raval was batting on 25. During the South Africa innings, Latham had taken two sharp catches and Jurgensen feels that it might have boosted his confidence.
“Tom has worked really hard. He got some confidence even with his fielding. His slips’ catching was excellent,” said Jurgensen. “I think he took that into his batting today. Those things are important in international cricket. He’s walked into the dressing room tonight after a great partnership and there was a lot of support for him. The boys were being very vocal.”