New Zealand is the rhythm of the “hope” pace, Matt Henry, will recover from a shoulder injury in time for their Champions Trophy final against India on Sunday, said coach Gary Stead.
Henry is being in good shape for the confrontation as Dubai after having injured his right shoulder while taking a victory in the semi-final against South Africa on Wednesday.
Henry was the key to the hopes of New Zealand in the 50-year tournament and returned 5-42 figures against India in a dead mockery group match that the Black Caps lost.
“We had a few scans and stuff on him and we will give him all the chance to play in this match,” said Stead on Friday.
“So still a little unknown at this stage. He is obviously quite endolori just by landing on the point of his shoulder.
“Hopefully he will be fine.”
Henry took a catch to reject Heinrich Klaan in the pursuit of South Africa of 363 in Lahore and clumsily landed.
He came out of the field but returned to the bowl two other overs in his seven fate.
“I guess the positive thing from our point of view is that he came back there for Bown,” said Stead.
With Trent Boult and Tim Southee retired, New Zealand depended on their inexperienced rhythmic quisters to obtain early breakthroughs.
Besides Henry, who is a veteran of 91 ODI, fast colleagues Will O’Rourke and Kyle Jamieson have 29 ODI games between them.
“We may be one of the most inexperienced groups here,” said Stead about his rhythm attack.
“And Will O’Rourke, Kyle Jamieson, for example, they did not play a lot of crickets of a day or cricket of the ICC tournament.
“So, so that they continue to stand on this scene, it’s very good, especially after the loss of a Southee, a bolt.”
– Coup for New Zealand –
New Zealand men won their only world white ball tournament in 2000 when they beat India to raise the Champions Trophy.
However, the New Zealand women’s team won the T20 World Cup in Dubai.
“I think that if New Zealand can get up and win this, it would be a real credit for the players and what they have done,” said Stead.
“They are a united group. We appreciate the company of the other and I am sure that it will be a real coup d’etat for New Zealand, especially here in Dubai after women also won the T20 World Cup here.”
New Zealand is particularly suspicious of the India spin strength which made them complete for 205 in its pursuit of 250 in the group of both parties in Dubai.
Varun Chakravarthy played his first match of the tournament as part of a four-part spin attack to claim winning figures of 5-42.
A mystery spinner that has many variations in its sleeve, Chakravarthy is a serious threat on land that helps slower quasses and where the race is difficult.
“I mean, they are very, very good spinners, all full of full,” said Stead.
“So, for us, it’s just being nice and clear on our plans and training. So who knows? They could also have days off, and that could be in our advantage.”
FK / PST