Matt HenryA superb performance at The Oval not only helped New Zealand qualify for the Test against England but also set him aside as one of cricket’s greatest names in the history books.The New Zealand fast bowler became the first player since then Shane Warne in the 2005 Ashes to take 10 or more wickets in a Test match at The Oval. He is also the first pacer to do so since Devon Malcolm’s memorable performance against South Africa in 1994.Henry produced an impressive display as New Zealand defeated England by 253 runs to clinch the series and force a decider in Nottingham. His match figures of 11-109, including 5-80 in the first innings and 6-29 in the second, were the best ever recorded by a New Zealand bowler against England in Test cricket.The win took on greater significance given Henry’s struggles in the first Test at Lord’s. A spasm of the spine on the first morning had greatly inhibited the captain and he thought that he had not given as much as he had hoped. Although he managed to take a wicket, he was far from his usual self.A 10-day break between Tests allowed the 34-year-old to fully recover, and he returned to The Oval with devastating results.England resumed on the final day hoping for a miraculous relegation, but Henry quickly extinguished those hopes. He set a trap Joe Root lbw for 77, becoming the first bowler to dismiss Root and Harry Brook twice in one Test match.The right-hander then ripped the lower leg. Jofra ArcherHis stumps crumbled from a delivery that fell short, Matthew Fisher hit his stumps for Henry’s 150th Test wicket, and Josh Tongue nearly slipped as the paceman completed his five-wicket haul in the innings.Henry’s performance on the final morning made it 5-3 in just 31 runs as England’s resistance crumbled in less than an hour.“We won the replay,” the New Zealand captain said Tom Latham he said. “Matt Henry is good at marking. First and second, he created pressure through dot balls and got important wickets. He has been a leader for us for a long time, good for him to get results.”Since the start of 2024, Henry has been one of the fastest bowlers in world cricket. After spending much of his time in the shadow of Tim Southee and Trent Boult, he flourished as New Zealand’s leading paceman, taking 80 wickets in his last 14 Tests and collecting seven of his eight wickets during that time.Reflecting on his transition from Lord’s to The Oval, Henry admitted the first Test was disappointing.“It feels good when you let guys down on the first day,” he said. “It was nice to come here and do my part.”Henry also praised the wicketkeeper Tom Blundell because of his role behind the stumps, especially standing up to bat and helping to keep England’s batsmen from knowing their pace.“Having a global user like Tom is great,” Henry said. “He’s always ready. You can’t do it unless you have someone good behind the stumps. We know England like to make runs.”The fast bowler was also quick to praise the entire New Zealand bowling team.“It’s a lot easier when you have a strong bowling team. Kyle (Jamieson) and Will (O’Rourke) are coming back from injury, their quality to get back to what they are. Nathan Smith is going from strength to strength.For Henry, The Oval will now hold a special place in his career. Twenty years after Warne’s famous Ashes, the New Zealand seamer etched his name into the history of the land with a statement that ranks among England’s best bowlers.
