New Zealand fast bowler Matt Henry has been granted paternity leave during the T20 World Cup and will return home after the Super 8 match against England, dealing a blow to the Kiwi pace attack.
T20 World Cup 2026: Here's Why New Zealand's Matt Henry Is Returning Home After ENG vs NZ Super 8 Clash | Image Source - Instagram/@ mattyhenaz
The New Zealand cricket team is currently locking its horns with England in their 2nd Super 8 game of the f the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 tournament at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
This is a crucial match for New Zealand. After having secured three points in their last Super 8 matches, a win against England in the ongoing match will confirm their berth in the World Cup semi-final race.
It has to be noted that even if New Zealand loses this game against England, they will still have a chance to make it to the semi-finals, as it will come down to the Net Run Rate against Pakistan. The Salman Ali Agha-led side only has 1 point from their last two games and can only gain a maximum of four points in their last match, which will make it impossible for them to make it to the semi-final round.
Meanwhile, New Zealand’s fast bowler Matt Henry is all set to leave the ongoing tournament mid-way because of personal commitments. The pacer has been given paternity leave from the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026. He will head home after his team’s Super 8 match against England at Khettarama in Colombo, for the birth of his second child.
The news was confirmed by New Zealand coach Rob Walter, who expressed excitement for Matt on the arrival of his second child. He also expressed hope that Matt will return to the squad if New Zealand manages to qualify for the semi-finals.
"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," he said.
Henry has been an important player for New Zealand in the ongoing T20 World Cup. He is the team’s joint-highest wicket-taker, picking up six wickets in five innings with an economy rate of 7.38.
In total, he has taken 49 wickets in T20 Internationals at an average of 22.87. If he misses games, it will be a big setback for New Zealand as they try to reach the later stages of the tournament.
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