Henry records new Test-best against South Africa

Thursday 17th February 2022

Men’s First Team

Henry records new Test-best against South Africa

Kent’s overseas star Matt Henry recorded the joint-third-best figures by a New Zealand bowler with a career-best 7 for 23, including three wickets in the same over, to dismiss South Africa for their lowest ever total against New Zealand.

On a seamer-friendly surface at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, the 30-year-old made use of the movement and bounce and almost single-handedly bowled South Africa out for 95, their lowest total batting first since 1932. In doing so, he registered the best bowling figures against South Africa since 1915.

Amongst the right-arm paceman’s victims in a devastating spell of bowling were South Africa opener and captain Dean Elgar in his first over for 1, as well as highly-rated batters in Aidan Markham and Rassie van der Dussen.

He would also dismiss Zubayr Hamza for 25, before sending three Proteas batters back to the pavilion in the same over: Kyle Verreyne (18), Kagiso Rabada (0) & debutant Glenton Stuurman (0) were all dismissed in the 47th before the visitors were all out for 95 after 49.2 overs.

The seamer finished the innings with a bowling economy of just 1.53 from 15 overs.

Confirmed to return to Kent in the second half of the 2022 English season, Henry has now surpassed his previous best first-class bowling figures, achieved playing for the county against Northamptonshire in 2018 (7-42).

He has enjoyed a good run of current form, and is currently also joint-top wicket taker in New Zealand’s domestic first-class competition, the Plunket Shield, taking 21 wickets at 17.76.

Speaking after the innings break on Day One, Henry said: “It’s great to do it in front of my home fans, friends and family.

“It’s not always going to go in your favour when you play the odd game here and there. When you woke up and saw the overheads here at Hagley, you’d hope you’re bowling first.”

Matt Henry will return to the Club in 2022 for up to seven County Championship matches and for the Royal London Cup, subject to regulatory approval, from 10 July 2022.

The right-arm seamer took 75 wickets in just 11 matches in 2018’s County Championship for the county, finishing the year as Division Two’s highest wicket-taker, with a bowling average of just 15.48.

He was awarded his Kent Men’s Cap (215) in May 2018 after an impressive start to his Kent career, and was honoured at the end of the 2018 season with Kent’s Bowler of the Year Award.

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