Matt Henry, born Matthew James Henry on December 14, 1991, in Christchurch, New Zealand, is a prominent right-arm fast-medium bowler and lower-order batsman for the New Zealand national cricket team. Standing at 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m), Henry has established himself as a key figure in international cricket, known for his ability to generate seam movement, pace, and bounce. He plays domestically for Canterbury and has featured in various T20 leagues around the world. His journey from a promising young talent to a reliable international performer is marked by resilience, especially after undergoing major back surgery in 2012 that nearly derailed his career.
New Zealand’s Matt Henry in bowling action during the ICC Cricket …
Early Life and Domestic Beginnings
Henry grew up in Christchurch, a city with a rich sporting culture, and attended St Joseph’s School in Papanui and St Bede’s College in Christchurch. He completed his sixth form studies at St Joseph’s College, Ipswich, in England on a one-year scholarship, which helped hone his skills abroad. Making his first-class debut for Canterbury in the 2010-11 Plunket Shield season against Wellington in March 2011, Henry quickly showed promise as a bowler capable of troubling batsmen with his speed and accuracy. Domestically, he has been a consistent performer for Canterbury, contributing to their successes, including winning the Ford Trophy and Plunket Shield in the 2020/21 season.
In county cricket, Henry has had stints with several English teams. He played for Worcestershire in 2016, Derbyshire in the 2017 NatWest T20 Blast, and Kent in 2018 and 2022, where he earned his cap after a remarkable 12/73 against Durham. More recently, in 2023 and 2025, he represented Somerset, becoming the leading wicket-taker in the tournament and clinching the winning wicket in the final against Essex to secure Somerset’s first T20 title since 2005. His T20 league experience extends to the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he was bought by Kings XI Punjab in 2017, Chennai Super Kings in 2014-15 and 2026, and Lucknow Super Giants in 2024. He also played for Welsh Fire in The Hundred from 2023-2025.
International Career
Henry’s international breakthrough came after his back surgery recovery. He made a memorable One Day International (ODI) debut against India on January 31, 2014, taking 4/38 – the third-best figures by a New Zealand debutant in ODIs – helping secure a 4-0 series win. His Twenty20 International (T20I) debut followed against Pakistan on December 4, 2014, and his Test debut was against England on May 21, 2015.
Henry has been a vital part of New Zealand’s white-ball setups, though injuries have occasionally hampered his progress. In the 2015 Cricket World Cup, he replaced the injured Adam Milne for the semi-final against South Africa and the final against Australia, where he dismissed key batsmen like David Warner and Michael Clarke. He set a New Zealand record for the highest ninth-wicket ODI partnership (84 runs with Jimmy Neesham) against India in 2016. His standout performance came in the 2019 World Cup semi-final against India, where he took 3/37, including both openers, earning Player of the Match and propelling New Zealand to the final.
In Tests, Henry achieved his first five-wicket haul (7/23) against South Africa in February 2022 at Hagley Oval, equalling Sir Richard Hadlee’s mark for the third-best Test innings figures by a Kiwi bowler. He was part of the squad that won the 2019-2021 ICC World Test Championship. In T20Is, he claimed a hat-trick against Pakistan on April 14, 2023, becoming the fourth New Zealander to do so. He was selected for the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and has been a consistent performer in recent series against teams like West Indies and England.
New Zealand’s Matt Henry celebrates taking the wicket of India’s …
Achievements and Records
Henry’s accolades include being the second-fastest New Zealand bowler to 150 ODI wickets (in 83 innings). He was Player of the Match in the 2019 World Cup semi-final and has multiple five-wicket hauls across formats. In the 2023 ICC Champions Trophy, he broke records by becoming the first Kiwi to take a five-wicket haul against India in that tournament. His career-best Test figures of 7/23 remain a highlight, and he was named New Zealand Men’s Cricketer of the Year for 2024/25. Henry was also a leading wicket-taker for New Zealand in the 2015 ODI series against Sri Lanka.
Career Statistics
As of January 2026, Henry’s international statistics are as follows (compiled from official records):
| Format | Matches | Runs Scored | Batting Avg | Highest Score | Wickets | Bowling Avg | Best Bowling | 5-Wicket Hauls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 33 | 670 | 17.17 | 72 | 140 | 27.13 | 7/23 | 6 |
| ODI | 95 | 270 | 10.38 | 48* | 172 | 24.98 | 5/30 | 3 |
| T20I | 31 | 30 | 5.00 | 10* | 40 | 22.37 | 3/32 | 0 |
| IPL | 6 | 0 | – | – | 2 | 90.50 | 1/28 | 0 |
Personal Life and Legacy
Henry’s estimated net worth is around 14 crore, reflecting his earnings from international cricket, IPL contracts, and endorsements. Often compared to Shane Bond for his bustling pace, Henry stands out for his seam bowling prowess in a swing-dominant New Zealand attack. His big-match temperament has made him indispensable, with New Zealand relying on him for crucial breakthroughs.