New Zealand pacer Matt Henry was ruled out of the upcoming three-match ODI series against Pakistan, starting on January 9 in Karachi, as well as the white-ball tour of India after suffering an abdominal strain in the second Test.
On Saturday, January 7, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) confirmed that Henry will return home with other members of the Test squad, who are not part of the ODI squad for the Pakistan series, after he suffered an abdominal strain in the final session of day five of the Karachi Test on January 6.
NZC will soon announce Henry’s replacement for the ODI series against Pakistan and India. Meanwhile, New Zealand’s head coach Gary Stead also confirmed that the pacer was ruled out of the ODIs after suffering the injury.
NZC said in a tweet: “Matt Henry will return home with other members of the Test Squad not taking part in the ODI Series against Pakistan after suffering an abdominal strain on Day 5 of the 2nd Test in Karachi. A replacement in the ODI Squad to face Pakistan and India will be confirmed soon.”
Gary stated: “It was a pretty gutsy effort, really, but he will be withdrawn from the ODI side.”
Meanwhile, Blair Tickner has already replaced Adam Milne in the ODI squad after the fast bowler expressed concerns about his preparation for the Pakistan series.
Apart from Henry, Tom Blundell was also injured during the final Test, and Stead said that he will return to action after 2-4 weeks after suffering a groin strain in Karachi on Friday.
New Zealand ODI squad for Pakistan series: Kane Williamson (captain), Tom Latham, Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Henry Shipley, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Blair Tickner.
