Henry the late thrives as NZ’s boy from nowhere

MELBOURNE: Matt Henry was celebrating a cousin’s engagement when he was summoned to play at the World Cup and the New Zealand fast bowler admitted he is still pinching himself.
The 23-year-old was called into the squad when Adam Milne was forced to withdraw with a heel injury and he was pitched straight into Tuesday’s dramatic semi-final win over South Africa.
“It’s pretty hard to believe, you’ve got to pinch yourself,” said Henry as he prepared to play in front of 90,000 fans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Sunday’s final.
“It’s an unbelievable opportunity to have. It’s unfortunate for Adam, it’s not the situation you want to be in but it’s the nature of the beast.”
Henry, who had been playing first class cricket with Canterbury in front of a handful of fans last week, vowed not to be overawed by the challenge in Sunday’s final where the Black Caps will face either defending champions India or co-hosts Australia.
“To go from a Plunkett Shield game with not too many people being about, to everyone screaming your name at Eden Park (the Auckland venue for Tuesday’s semi-final) was a bit of a contrast,” said Henry, who has never played at the MCG.