Black Caps Oval hero Matt Henry's comeback from back spasms to 11-wicket hero

Tuesday, 23 June 2026

Matt Henry claimed 11 wickets, including a blistering day-five spell of 5-3 in 31 balls, to secure a 253-run victory for the Black Caps over England at The Oval.

Henry’s performance came after he struggled with back spasms during the first test of the series at Lord’s.

At 34 years of age, Henry has played 35 tests, having spent the early part of his career behind Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Neil Wagner, and Colin de Grandhomme before graduating to lead the pace lineup.

Black Caps captain Tom Latham will never get sick of watching Matt Henry’s wins.

Patience and persistence have been major factors throughout Henry’s international career, so every success has been hard-earned.

For a bowler of his class and at 34 years of age, the natural presumption would be that Henry would have played many more than his 35 tests.

However, the early stages of his career came at a time when Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Neil Wagner were in their prime, plus a stronger batting option, such as Colin de Grandhomme, was often preferred when a fourth seamer was selected.

Over the last handful of years, Henry has graduated to lead the New Zealand pace attack, and yet again, he has stood up when his side needed it, claiming 11 wickets to lead the Black Caps to a series levelling 253-run victory over England at The Oval.

Henry‘s heroics at The Oval were made even more impressive by the fact that he was struggling with back spasms in the first test at Lord’s.

“He was obviously a little bit gutted to be in the position he was with a little bit of back spasm, but I think the work he's done to get himself right to be available for this test … he's a true professional,” Latham said.

The Black Caps skipper praised Henry’s accuracy and ability to bowl long spells in the second test.

“He's been an absolute weapon for us, so consistent and so accurate.”

Opportunities might have been rare early in his career, but Latham said Henry would always grab them with both hands when they came and has continued to evolve later in his career.

“Since he's been able to take a new ball and been the leader of the attack, he's certainly gone from strength to strength,” Latham said after the win in the second test.

“Not only with the ball, but the way he speaks to the other bowlers, he certainly leads the attack really well.

“He's a very valued member of this side, certainly from a leadership point of view.”

Henry’s day five spell saw him take 5-3 in 31 balls to clean up England’s five remaining wickets.

“I couldn't think of a better man to be in that position,” Latham said.