Matt Henry will miss the remaining three T20 International matches against India as the team has to keep pace-bowling resources in check ahead of a busy international tour. New Zealand Cricket announced the squad changes on Sunday, October 25, 2026, after India won in the first two games.
Henry will remain in Christchurch before being called up for the ODI team in Auckland on November 2. His absence comes after he bowled only two overs in the second T20I on Saturday before he left the field with a tight calf, said New Zealand coach Mitchell Santner.
Matt Henry is to join the ODI squad.
Henry will not take part in the ongoing five-match T20I series. New Zealand Cricket confirmed that the experienced fast bowler would stay in Christchurch and prepare for the ODI squad ahead of the next leg of the tour.
The decision is based on New Zealand’s need to manage their fast bowlers’ workloads in T20I, ODI and Test formats. Henry’s tight calf was a concern during the second match, but the announcement was about planned workload management and did not confirm a long-term injury.
New Zealand will next play India in a five-match ODI series beginning on November 4 and then with a two-match Test series starting on November 19.
Lockie Ferguson and Kyle Jamieson were also affected.
Henry is not the only New Zealand fast bowler whose schedule has changed. Lockie Ferguson will miss the third T20I before rejoining the squad for the last two matches.
On the other hand, Kyle Jamieson is scheduled to play the third T20I on October 27. He will then stay in Wellington to represent Canterbury in the Ford Trophy and then return to the Black Caps for the ODI series.
These changes will allow New Zealand to distribute the workload among their fast bowlers while maintaining key players available for the longer formats.
Blair Tickner and Josh Clarkson join the Squad
New Zealand have called up Blair Tickner for the last three T20Is, while Josh Clarkson will join the squad for the last two matches. Matt Fisher will travel with the team as cover for the third T20I before returning to the New Zealand A squad.
The changes will give head coach Rob Walter additional options as the team has to regroup from a bad start to the series.
Walter said the team had been lucky to have enough depth to handle its bowlers’ workloads and be ready for cricket in the future.
India leads the T20I Series 2-0
India have a 2-0 lead after winning the first two matches by four wickets each. New Zealand will have to win the third match to keep the series alive.
On October 24, India completed a tough chase and it was done with Tilak Varma and Nitish Kumar Reddy in the second T20I. Thanks to their efforts, the visitors got another close victory.
The third T20I is set for October 27 in Wellington, followed by the fourth and fifth matches on October 30 and November 1.
With Henry injured and other fast bowlers rotating in and out of the team, New Zealand will need contributions from their available players to challenge India in the remaining matches.
That will be in the focus for the third T20I, when New Zealand must win to avoid losing an unassailable series lead.
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