In a setback for New Zealand, senior pacer Matt Henry and batting all-rounder Glenn Phillips will miss the crucial Test match against England at Trent Bridge due to injuries. Henry, who recently topped the ICC Men’s Test rankings and took 11 wickets in the previous Test, has a calf injury. Phillips, on the other hand, is sidelined with a side strain injury. New Zealand Cricket confirmed the news just before the toss.
Matt Henry’s calf injury was detected during the second Test at The Oval, with scans revealing a low-grade muscle strain. He is expected to recover in two to four weeks. Similarly, Glenn Phillips felt side pain during the same Test, leading to his exclusion. Further assessments will determine his return timeline. The absence of these key players poses a challenge for New Zealand in the series-deciding match.
With Matt Henry, Glenn Phillips, and Kyle Jamieson out due to various reasons, New Zealand has named Mitchell Santner, Blair Tickner, and Ben Sears in their playing eleven against England. The English team, on the other hand, welcomes back skipper Ben Stokes and fast bowler Gus Atkinson after their absence in the previous Test. Stokes and Atkinson were cleared of any wrongdoing after an investigation. Additionally, wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith returns to the lineup, along with off-spinner Shoaib Bashir.
