Matt Henry awarded county cap
Tuesday 29th May 2018
Kent paceman Matt Henry was awarded county cap 215 after a stellar start to his career for the club.
The New Zealand international received the honour before the televised Royal London One-Day Cup match against Somerset at The Spitfire Ground.
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The 26-year-old has taken 47 wickets in nine matches at an average of 12.61 in all formats including a career-best 7-45 at Durham in the Specsavers County Championship, one of two ten-wicket matches.
Henry said: “It took me by surprise and I didn’t expect it all but it was a real privilege and a special moment.
“It was great to receive it. To have the personal success is great but to be playing the cricket we have and contributing to good team performances and wins has been fun to be a part of.”
With the white ball, Henry has pushed his claims for a place in the Black Caps squad for next summer’s World Cup with [seven] wickets in [three] matches in the One-Day Cup.
The Christchurch-born fast bowler has signed for the first half of the 2018 season to play in seven Championship matches and the entire One-Day Cup season.
Director of cricket Paul Downton said: “We do not usually award county caps to players after such a short spell but Matt’s contribution is unprecedented.
“He leads the national first-class bowling averages and he’s been a matchwinner in our excellent start to the season.
“Off the field, he is a true team player and an excellent influence on the younger players in the dressing room.”
Henry’s 37 wickets in four Championship matches surpasses previous cameos by overseas stars in 2003 by Pakistan paceman Mohammad Sami’s 18 in his first three matches and Sri Lanka spinner Muttiah Muralitharan’s 33 in five matches.
This weekend, there’s a double-header at The County Ground, Beckenham against Surrey (Friday 1 June) and Gloucestershire (Sunday 3 June). Both matches start at 11am unless stated with gates opening an hour before.
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