Who Is Matt Henry? New Zealand Bowler Takes 6/27 vs. India | Nov. 13, 2026

Fact-checked: November 13, 2026 at 12:06 UTC (UTC+00:00); November 13, 2026 at 7:06 AM Toronto, EST (UTC−05:00). The time above records this article’s source check, not the scheduled publishing time or the start of a match.

Matt Henry is New Zealand’s experienced right-arm fast-medium bowler, and his name is back in the spotlight after a career-best ODI performance against India. On November 13, 2026, he took six wickets for 27 runs in the fourth one-day international at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. New Zealand dismissed India for 89 after scoring 333, winning by 244 runs. Henry’s three wickets in the first over put India under immediate pressure.

The performance is a timely introduction for viewers who know the Black Caps but not all their bowlers. Henry is best understood as a precise swing-and-seam specialist, rather than a batter or an express-pace showman. His form also matters ahead of New Zealand’s home Test series against India, for which he has been named in the squad. The November 13 result was reported by Reuters, while New Zealand Cricket has published the relevant Test squad announcement.

Destaques

• Who he is: Matthew James Henry, a Christchurch-born New Zealand international, bowls right-arm fast-medium and bats right-handed.
• Latest India performance: He took 6/27 on November 13, 2026, with three wickets in the opening over of the fourth ODI.
• Why he matters: His biggest strengths are accuracy, movement through the air and off the pitch, and taking wickets early with the new ball.
• What comes next: He was named for ODI No. 4 and the upcoming Tests, but not New Zealand’s published squad for the fifth ODI.

Who is Matt Henry, and what position does he play?

Henry’s full name is Matthew James Henry. He was born on December 14, 1991, in Christchurch, New Zealand, making him 34 on November 13, 2026. He is primarily a bowler, not an all-rounder or frontline batter. Official player records describe him as a right-handed batter and right-arm fast-medium bowler. He developed through Canterbury cricket and has also played for several county and franchise sides. His biographical details can be checked in the New Zealand Cricket archive and ICC player profile.

Henry’s international story has an India connection from the beginning. He made his ODI debut against India in Wellington on January 31, 2014, taking 4/38. He subsequently made his Test debut in England in 2015 and developed into a regular senior option across formats. Unlike spin bowlers, who rely on slower deliveries that turn sharply, Henry generally uses a firmer pace, an upright seam and subtle movement to challenge batters’ judgment. Cricket Australia’s player biography also documents his debut against India.

What did Matt Henry do against India on November 13, 2026?

In the fourth ODI, New Zealand posted 333 runs in 50 overs, with Will Young contributing 125. India then lost Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and captain Shreyas Iyer in Henry’s first over and eventually finished all out for 89 in 26.4 overs. Henry ended with 6 wickets for 27 runs from 9.4 overs, and New Zealand won by 244 runs. The result and bowling figures were independently documented in Reuters’ match report.

For a new cricket viewer, “6/27” means Henry dismissed six batters while conceding only 27 runs from his bowling. A bowler can take a maximum of 10 wickets in an innings, although teammates share the attack. The opening-over three-wicket burst mattered especially because it removed three experienced Indian top-order batters before their chase could build momentum. The 6/27 was better than Henry’s previous ODI-best figures of 5/30, recorded in earlier New Zealand Cricket career statistics.

What makes Matt Henry’s bowling difficult to face?

How do swing and seam bowling work?

Swing describes sideways movement of the ball in the air before it reaches the batter; seam movement describes a change of direction after it lands, often because the stitched seam meets the pitch at an angle. Henry can combine both with a consistent line near the stumps and a length that forces the batter to decide whether to move forward or play back. The precise amount of movement depends on the ball, weather, pitch and how it is delivered.

That makes his early overs important. In limited-overs cricket, a newer ball can reward fast bowlers who keep their seam upright and make batters play. Henry does not need every delivery to be dramatically fast: a small deviation, especially near the edge of the bat or the stumps, can be enough. In the November 13 match, the early wickets showed how quickly this approach can reshape an innings.

Is Matt Henry a Test, ODI or T20 bowler?

All three. Tests reward sustained pressure over long spells, ODIs require disciplined use of up to 10 overs per bowler, and T20 matches call for fast adaptation in a four-over allocation. Henry has appeared for New Zealand in all three international formats. His wickets and economy rate can vary substantially by format, so a performance in an ODI should not be treated as a forecast of his figures in a Test or T20 match.

What are Matt Henry’s biggest career achievements?

One notable benchmark is the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. Henry finished as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with 10 wickets and was named to the ICC Team of the Tournament. He took 5/42 against India during the group stage, but a shoulder injury suffered while fielding in the semifinal kept him out of the final. The ICC’s tournament selection and statistics confirm those details.

His longer career also includes match-winning Test performances and a successful domestic record. The New Zealand Cricket archive records 172 ODI wickets and 141 Test wickets in its earlier historical snapshot; those figures should not be mistaken for up-to-the-minute totals after his November 2026 appearances. For the latest aggregate figures, readers should consult a current scorecard or player database rather than adding estimates to old totals.

Will Matt Henry play New Zealand vs. India again, and when are the next matches?

New Zealand Cricket’s November 12 squad lists name Henry in the fourth-ODI group but do not list him for the fifth ODI. Selection for the fourth match therefore does not imply that he will appear on November 15. Separately, the November 11 Test announcement includes him in the squad for the two-match Test series, which begins in Wellington on November 19 and continues in Christchurch on November 27. A squad place is not a guarantee of a spot in the final playing XI.

The fifth ODI is scheduled for Sunday, November 15, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. in Mount Maunganui, NZDT (UTC+13:00)—the same instant as 2:00 a.m. UTC on November 15. In Canada, that is Saturday, November 14 at 9:00 p.m. in Toronto, EST (UTC−05:00), or 6:00 p.m. in Vancouver, PST (UTC−08:00). The fourth ODI began Friday, November 13 at 3:00 p.m. NZDT, corresponding to 2:00 a.m. UTC that day, or Thursday, November 12 at 9:00 p.m. in Toronto. These time conversions reflect the daylight-saving rules applicable on the match dates. The ICC match centre identifies Bay Oval and the 13 November fixture; New Zealand Cricket’s squad release identifies the November 15 match.

For viewers, the key question in the Tests is whether Henry can generate comparable early movement with the red ball and maintain his line across longer spells. That is an analysis of his bowling style, not a prediction of wickets or match results. Conditions and the final selection decision will shape his role.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Is Matt Henry a fast bowler?

Yes. He is classified as a right-arm fast-medium bowler, known especially for accuracy, swing and seam movement.

How many wickets did Matt Henry take against India on November 13, 2026?

He took six wickets for 27 runs in the fourth ODI at Bay Oval. New Zealand won the match by 244 runs.

Is Matt Henry in New Zealand’s squad for the next India Tests?

Yes. New Zealand Cricket named him in the Test squad announced November 11, 2026. Being in the squad does not by itself confirm he will play either match.