OPINION
Follow UsIn the lead up to this Test series between South Africa and New Zealand, there were two talking points. One was the fact that this would be the Blackcaps’ first Test since the retirement of Ross Taylor. And secondly, the Proteas’ dominance over New Zealand in the red-ball format.
New Zealand have never beaten South Africa in a Test series and have, in fact, suffered six straight series losses, going back to 2006. However, this is the first time the two teams are coming together in five years and a lot has happened since.
After the first day of the Christchurch Test, all that took the backstage when the New Zealand quicks led by Mat Henry took the field.
Before his devastating spell of 7 for 23, the joint-best figures for New Zealand at home, Henry had had only thrice in his Test career picked six wickets in a match. At the Hagley Oval, however, Henry outdid himself, picking up all seven in just one innings and went on to register one of the best bowling figures on New Zealand soil.
An average of in excess of 46 in a 14- Test career does not speak volumes about him as a bowler, but when given a go, he has rarely disappointed. A hit the deck bowler, Henry’s strength lies in the bounce he generates off the pitch and a bit of away movement definitely helps his cause.
He is often looked as someone who could fill the shoes when someone is rested or injured. Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Neil Wagner are the preferred trio and add the all-round abilities of Kyle Jamieson to the list, Henry’s chances of playing Tests on a regular basis for the Blackcaps diminish further with someone or the other jumping back in.
"You try not to focus too much on those external things you can't control and make sure I am still in the mindset of trying to keep getting better and when I do get my opportunity, to take it," Henry said at the of the day’s play
Being so low in the pecking order is never easy for any bowler. Despite a record-breaking spell, if Boult was to return, it is Henry who would have to make way, which is unfair.
On a bowling-friendly wicket, he made excellent use of the conditions, hitting the deck and bowling a tad back of a length and mixed them up with a few quick full ones to keep the South Africa batters on their toes throughout.
Barring the deliveries to Dean Elgar (caught at slip) and Kyle Verreyne (LBW) other dismissals were off deliveries at back of a length or short – picking up five wickets for just 13 runs bowling in this area. This comes as little surprise as Christchurch is Henry’s home and has played a huge chunk of his cricket here.
In first-class matches since 2019 at Christchurch before this Test, Henry has picked up 19 wickets here at 22.8, which includes two four-wicket hauls and a fifer. It’s safe to say, if anyone who knows his way around at the Hagley Oval, it is Henry.
New Zealand have played 55 Tests since Henry’s debut in 2015, but the fast bowler has played just 15 of them. While Southee, Boult and Wagner are in a league of their own, Henry has kept at it with consistent performances at the domestic circuit. Even in the ODIs, he has found his chances limited.
After a player of the match performance winning performance in the 2019 World Cup semi-final against India, Henry has played just four more matches in the 50-over format for the Blackcaps since.
While his performance in Christchurch does not automatically warrant him of a place in the next matches, it’s certainly not a headache New Zealand would mind having. They’ll have a sound sleep knowing they have a world-class fast bowler, beyond their designated trio.
