New Zealand will be facing England in the Super 8 match on Friday, 27th February 2026. It is a must-win game for the Kiwis to qualify for the semi-finals. Ahead of the match, there has been news coming from the New Zealand camp as their star pacer Matt Henry would be travelling back home.
Matt Henry has been excellent with the new ball and used all his experience in the tournament so far. However, he will be back home following the team’s Super 8 match against England for the birth of his and his wife’s second child.
Matt Henry ruled out of the World Cup?
Matt Henry was brilliant in the last match against Sri Lanka, picking the wicket of in-form Pathum Nissanka in the very first ball of the second innings. The Kiwi management will be hopeful that Henry will be back ahead if New Zealand qualifies for the next round.
Head coach Rob Walter was supportive of Henry’s departure. He said, “Firstly, we’re all very excited for Matt and Holly on the arrival of their second child. It’s a very significant moment for their family and we’re wishing them all the best.”
Walter said Henry may return to the tournament, “There’s a lot of water to go under the bridge but we’re hopeful that the stars align for the team and for Matt and that we’ll see him back competing in the final phases of the competition.”
Matt Henry leading the New Zealand bowling attack
Matt Henry has been the leading wicket-taker for New Zealand with six wickets in five innings at an economy rate of 7.38 in the tournament so far. Henry would be the second player to be leaving after, as in the earlier group stages, Lockie Ferguson was granted paternity leave and missed the match against Canada in Chennai.
The speedster rejoined the squad and played for New Zealand against Sri Lanka in the Super Eight on February 25. New Zealand’s bowling has been brilliant last night against the co-hosts, Sri Lanka. In Sri Lanka the bowling for the Kiwis has shined and they would look to do something similar today as well.
The speedster rejoined the squad and played for New Zealand against Sri Lanka in the Super Eight on February 25. New Zealand’s bowling has been brilliant last night against the co-hosts, Sri Lanka.
New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat first
A win against England today will make the Kiwis top of the Group 2 table, with their run rate being better than that of the Three Lions. New Zealand has won the toss and elected to bat first as they go with the unchanged side that won against the Island nation.
England is making just one change brining in Rehan Ahmed for Jamie Overton. The three lions have already made their way to the next round. It is going to be an exciting encounter at the R Premedasa Stadium, Colombo.
