Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on Saturday (March 30) named New Zealand pacer Matt Henry as a replacement for David Willey in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season.

Willey, who called time on his international career after the World Cup last year, opted out of the IPL 2024 owing to personal reasons.

IPL confirmed the development before LSG’s match against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Lucknow on Saturday.

“Matt Henry, the New Zealand fast bowler, has signed with the Lucknow Super Giants for the Tata Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Henry comes in as a replacement for the England all-rounder, David Willey, who has withdrawn from the tournament due to personal reasons. Henry joins in at his base price of INR 1.25 crores,” IPL’s media release stated.

Henry has represented New Zealand in 25 Tests, 82 ODIs and 17 T20Is so far. In the past, he has been a part of the Punjab Kings and Chennai Super Kings squads. He has featured in two IPL matches so far, both for the Punjab-based franchise in 2017.

Lucknow Super Giants, led by KL Rahul, are currently languishing at the bottom of the table with a net run rate of -1.000. They opened their campaign with a 20-run defeat against Rajasthan Royals at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium last Sunday (March 24).

With seven teams winning at least one match in the tournament so far, LSG will be keen to add two points to their tally against PBKS.