New Zealand pacer Matt Henry joins Somerset as overseas player

Aakash Saini

image-legqpq3qMatt Henry set to join Somerset [Twitter]

New Zealand cricketer Matt Henry is set to join Somerset this season for seven County Championship matches. The speedster will also turn up for the side in T20 Blast tournament, scheduled to be played between May and July this year.

Henry to extend County roots, will join Somerset

Matt Henry made his County Championship debut back in 2016 for Worcestershire. He was later roped in by Derbyshire in the subsequent season. He also played for the Kent County Cricket Club in 2018, a role he would later reprise for the side in 2022.

Notably, while playing for Kent, the right-arm pacer bagged 87 wickets at an average of 15.94.

Upon Henry’s signing, Somerset coach Jason Kerr praised the New Zealander for his experience and skill set. He described the 31-year-old as a “world-class performer” who will further strengthen the Somerset attack by joining the likes of Peter Siddle, Lewis Gregory and Craig Overton. Kerr said:

“Matt's arrival will bring us even more potency. He is a world-class performer who has demonstrated what he can do across all formats already within the English domestic game. 

He's got good pace and can swing the ball. What he will provide off the field will be equally as important. He has experienced playing all over the world and will be able to share a vast amount of knowledge.”

Henry is slated to join the Somerset camp in time for their away fixture against Lancashire on May 11. Prior to the championship, the cricketer is tipped to be part of New Zealand’s touring party to Pakistan, where the Black Caps will play five T20Is and as many ODIs from April till the first week of May.