NZ vs SL: Matt Henry goes berserk against Kasun Rajitha, smashes 24 runs in one over

Matt Henry. (Photo Source: Twitter)

New Zealand made a tremendous comeback in the ongoing first Test match against Sri Lanka thanks to a scintillating innings from Matt Henry in the second innings of the match. The Kiwi pacer, who is no mug with the bat, smashed Sri Lanka’s Kasun Rajitha for 24 runs in an over to propel his side into the lead.

The Kiwis were under severe pressure after being reduced to 188/6 in their first innings in reply to the visitors’ 355. Although Daryl Mitchell and skipper Tim Southee stitched a handy partnership for the seventh wicket, Sri Lanka were still on top on the third day of the first Test. However, Matt Henry’s arrival at the crease turned the tide for the home side.

The 31-year-old was looking to play his shots from the get-go, but the dismissal of Mitchell after a fighting century forced Henry to put the foot on the accelerator. He reached his fourth Test half-century for New Zealand with a boundary off Kasun Rajitha’s first delivery of the 105th over. The Kiwi celebrated his milestone by dispatching the Sri Lankan pacer for three boundaries and a six on the next four deliveries, milking 24 runs off the over.

New Zealand in a commanding position after Henry’s carnage

New Zealand went into the lead after Henry’s carnage against Rajitha. His pyrotechnics was brought to a halt in the very next over after Asitha Fernando cleaned up the Kiwi for his career-best innings of 72 runs in just 75 deliveries. Neil Wagner, who stitched a 69-run stand with Henry for the ninth wicket, also enjoyed his time at the crease, smashing three sixes in his 24-ball stay.

The late riposte from the lower-order batters ensured a slight advantage for the home side after they were bundled out for 373 runs in their first innings, 18 ahead of Sri Lanka’s total. Sri Lanka were 83/3 at the end of play on the third day in Christchurch.

For a better experience: Download the CricTracker app from the IOS App Store and Google Play Store