New Zealand call up Matt Henry as cover for Finn Allen in Bangladesh

The pace bowler has had both doses of vaccine and already had an MIQ room booked for his return

26-Aug-2021

Matt Henry, with the new ball, is a dangerous prospect, New Zealand vs Bangladesh, 3rd ODI, Wellington, March 26, 2021

Matt Henry has been called up to New Zealand's T20I squad in Bangladesh as cover for Finn Allen who tested positive for Covid-19 earlier this week.

Although not a like-for-like player, the fact Henry has had both doses of vaccine and already had a place booked in managed isolation for his return to New Zealand, due to being part of the ODI squad to face Pakistan, meant he was the most logical replacement.

New Zealand also opted against calling up any of the players still currently in the UK due to the need for a seven-day isolation period on arriving in Bangladesh.

"Matt's clearly not a like-for-like replacement for Finn, but he expands our selection options and, in the current circumstances, is the best equipped to join the side at such short notice," head coach Gary Stead, who is missing the tours of Bangladesh and Pakistan, said.

"And, in the current environment, we remain mindful of the need to carefully balance player workloads," he said. "We're not prepared to risk anyone's well-being by asking them to commit to extremely long periods away from home."

Allen, who is currently in quarantine and being monitored by the New Zealand team doctor Pat McHugh, will remain with the squad. Stead said he had improved in recent days and there remained hope that he could be available for the later matches against Bangladesh.

Henry has played just six T20Is in his career with his last outing coming in 2017. The first match of the series against Bangladesh is on September 1.

Matt Henry Finn Allen New Zealand New Zealand in Bangladesh