Champions Trophy 2025 Final: Henry is trying to recover in time for the final in Dubai after injuring his right shoulder while taking a catch in New Zealand’s semi-final win over South Africa on Wednesday. He has been an important player for New Zealand in the tournament and took 5 wickets for 42 runs against India in a group match that the Black Caps lost.
Champions Trophy 2025 Final: Matt Henry’s Injury and Recovery Timeline
He has been an important player for New Zealand in the 50-over tournament, and he took 5 wickets for 42 runs against India in a group match that the Black Caps lost.
“We’ve had some scans and stuff done on him and we’re going to give him every chance to be playing in this match,” Stead said on Friday.
“So still a little bit unknown at this stage. He’s obviously pretty sore just from landing on the point of his shoulder.”
“Hopeful he will be okay.”
Henry took a catch to dismiss Heinrich Klaasen during South Africa’s chase of 363 in Lahore but landed awkwardly. He briefly left the field for treatment but later returned to bowl two more overs in his seven-over spell.
“I guess the positive thing from our perspective is he got back out there to bowl,” said Stead.
Champions Trophy 2025 Final: The Impact of Trent Boult and Tim Southee’s Retirement
With Trent Boult and Tim Southee retired, New Zealand has relied on their less experienced pace bowlers to take early wickets. Aside from Henry, who has played 91 ODIs, the other fast bowlers, Will O’Rourke and Kyle Jamieson, have played just 29 ODI matches combined.
“We’re possibly one of the most inexperienced groups that are here,” Stead said of his pace attack.
“And Will O’Rourke, Kyle Jamieson, for example, they haven’t played a lot of one-day cricket or ICC tournament cricket either.”
“So for them to keep standing up on this stage is very good, especially after the loss of a Southee, a Bolt.”
New Zealand’s men won their only white-ball global tournament in 2000 when they defeated India to lift the Champions Trophy. However, the New Zealand women’s team claimed the T20 World Cup in Dubai last year.
“I think if New Zealand can get up and win this, it’d be a real credit to the players and what they’ve done,” said Stead.
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“They’re a tight-knit bunch. We enjoy each other’s company and I’m sure it’ll be a real coup for New Zealand, especially here in Dubai after the women won the T20 World Cup here as well.”
New Zealand are cautious about India’s strong spin attack, which bowled them out for 205 while chasing 250 in their group match in Dubai. Varun Chakravarthy made his first appearance of the tournament as part of a four-spin attack and took 5 wickets for 42 runs, leading India to victory. Chakravarthy, a mystery spinner with many variations, is a big threat on a pitch that favors slow bowlers and makes scoring runs difficult.
“I mean, they are very, very good spinners, all of them in their own right,” said Stead.
“So for us it’s just being nice and clear on our plans and working out. So who knows? They might have off days as well, and that could be in our advantage.”
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