If England’s tour of South Africa is “cursed”, consider New Zealand tour of Australia nothing less than that. After a host of injuries and illnesses in the visiting camp, it’s Matt Henry, the fast bowler, who’s now suffered a broken thumb. He will continue to bowl in the Test but bat depending on the situation of the match.
Henry suffered the fracture on Day 1 when he was trying to stop a drive from Joe Burns off his bowling. He was off the field for a while to deal with the split fingernail but the X-rays now have confirmed a broken thumb.
“An X-ray last night confirmed Matt Henry has broken his left thumb following a blow on day one,” a media release from New Zealand Cricket said.
Henry was picked over Tim Southee, only second to Neil Wagner in the series, for this Test match. Speaking after stumps on Day 1, head coach Gary Stead defended the decision to leave out Southee, arguing that they felt the need for more “pace” on this wicket.
Henry’s injury comes after Lockie Ferguson’s calf injury on the first day of this series which was tailgated by Trent Boult fracturing his hand in the second Test. Kane Williamson, Henry Nicholls, and Mitchell Santner are all missing this Test due to illness, with the latest player being laid low is Jeet Raval.
Raval was slotted in at No.3 for this Test in the absence of Williamson but should he not able to bat there, Glenn Phillips should take that place on his debut.
