Categories: Cricket

ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Matt Henry Left In Tears After Failing Fitness Test Ahead Of Final

New Zealand pacer Matt Henry was disappointed after being ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final against India. The fast bowler, who had been in excellent form throughout the tournament, couldn’t recover from a shoulder injury he picked up during the semi-final against South Africa.

Matt Henry Ruled Out of ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Final Due to Injury

Henry, who was the leading wicket-taker with ten wickets before the final, injured his shoulder while trying to catch Heinrich Klaasen during the semi-final against South Africa in Lahore. He left the field due to discomfort but later returned to bowl two overs and was seen diving in the field.

- Advertisement -

Henry finished the semi-final with figures of 2/43 from seven overs, taking the wickets of Ryan Rickelton and Kagiso Rabada. However, the 33-year-old was unable to recover in time for the final against India, which is currently being held at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, March 9.

With Henry ruled out, New Zealand brought in Nathan Smith as his replacement for the final. Smith had played one match in the tournament, against Pakistan, where he took two wickets for 20 runs in two overs. The right-arm pacer has played seven ODIs, taking seven wickets at an average of 41.71.

- Advertisement -

Matt Henry’s Emotional Moment Ahead of the Final

Ahead of the final, Matt Henry was clearly emotional about missing the crucial match due to injury. The pacer was seen leaving the field before the toss, doing his best to hold back tears after failing the fitness test.

New Zealand likely decided not to take any risks with him for the high-stakes game. Just before the toss, head coach Gary Stead was seen consoling Henry with a supportive pat on the back.

- Advertisement -

New Zealand won the toss in the final and chose to bat first. At the time of writing, the Black Caps were 165/5 after 38 overs, with Daryl Mitchell (44) and Michael Bracewell (0) at the crease. Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav took two wickets each, while Ravindra Jadeja claimed one.

Henry’s Key Role in New Zealand’s Recent Success Across Formats

Matt Henry has been one of the most successful bowlers in recent years, taking 136 wickets in 66 innings across formats since 2023. He leads Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who has taken 125 wickets in 74 innings during the same period.

Henry was crucial in the 2023-25 World Test Championship cycle, picking up 48 wickets in nine matches, although New Zealand didn’t reach the final. He also played a key role in New Zealand’s 2023 ODI World Cup campaign, taking 11 wickets in seven games, but they lost in the semi-finals to India. He played one match in the 2024 T20 World Cup, taking two wickets.

ALSO READ: Virat Kohli vs Mitchell Santner: A Final Showdown to Watch

Unnati Madan

Unnati is a passionate cricket writer with a deep love and understanding of the game. As a female cricket writer, she brings a unique perspective to the sport, having had to overcome various challenges to pursue her passion for cricket. Growing up, Unnati developed a love for cricket by watching matches with her family. She was always fascinated by the way the game was played, and would often spend hours reading about cricket, analyzing matches, and learning more about the sport. However, as a female in a male-dominated industry, she faced numerous obstacles to pursue her passion for cricket writing. Despite this, Unnati persevered and became an accomplished writer in the field. Unnati’s writing style is engaging and insightful, with a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the nuances of the game. Her articles are known for their depth of analysis, and she is often sought after for her strong opinions on the sport. Unnati has a unique ability to break down complex ideas and make them accessible to a wide audience, which has helped her build a large following of readers.