Matt Henry injury news: The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final will be played on Sunday, March 9, in Dubai between India and New Zealand.
The two teams met earlier in the tournament when India beat the Kiwis by 44 runs in their last group match. India then defeated Australia in the semi-final, while New Zealand hammered South Africa in Lahore.
New Zealand, who won the ICC Champions Trophy 2000 (then known as the ICC knockout tournament), will be looking to win their second Champions Trophy on Sunday, while India will be looking to win their third, having been the joint-winners in 2002 and the winners in 2013.
Ahead of the final against India, New Zealand are fretting over the injury to fast bowler Matt Henry.
Henry, the leading wicket-taker of this competition so far with ten wickets at an average of 16.70, including a five-for against India, injured his right shoulder while taking the catch of Heinrich Klaasen in the semi-final in Lahore.
He went off the field for a while but did return to bowl and field. However, now the Kiwi head coach has laid a layer of uncertainty over Henry’s participation in the final.
Matt Henry injury news: Will Matt Henry play in the Champions Trophy final against India?
New Zealand head coach Gary Stead said that Matt Henry’s participation is “a little bit unknown” yet, as on Friday, owing to his shoulder injury that he sustained in the semis against South Africa.
Stead said, “I guess the positive thing from our perspective is he got back out there to bowl. We’ve had some scans and stuff done on him, and we’re going to give him every chance to be playing in this match. [But it’s] still a little bit unknown at this stage.”
“He’s obviously pretty sore just from landing on the point of his shoulder,” Stead added. “Hopefully he will be okay.”
If Henry is unfit for the final, New Zealand could bring in pacer Jacob Duffy in the lineup. Duffy hasn’t played in this tournament. He last featured in the tri-series in a game against Pakistan, where he returned with figures of 1/48 in 7 overs.
Pacer Nathan Smith is also an option on the bench for the Kiwis. Smith featured in New Zealand’s group game against Pakistan and returned with figures of 1/20 in two overs.
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