Matt HenryHis outstanding performance at The Oval not only helped New Zealand level the Test series against England but also put him alongside one of cricket’s greatest names in the venue’s history books.The New Zealand fast bowler became the first player since Shane Warne during the 2005 Ashes to take 10 or more wickets in a Test match at The Oval. He is also the first bowler to achieve the feat on the ground since Devon Malcolm’s memorable effort against South Africa in 1994.Henry produced a career-defining display as New Zealand thrashed England by 253 runs to level the series and force a decider in Nottingham. His match figures of 11-109, including 5-80 in the first innings and 6-29 in the second, were the best ever recorded by a New Zealand bowler against England in Test cricket.The achievement had added significance given Henry’s difficult outing in the first Test at Lord’s. Back cramps on the first morning seriously limited the experienced seamstress and left him feeling that he had not contributed as expected. Although he managed to pick up a wicket, he was far from his usual influence.A 10-day break between Tests allowed the 34-year-old to fully recover and he returned to The Oval with a devastating performance.England went into the final day hoping for a miracle chase, but Henry quickly extinguished those hopes. Hey captive Joe Root lbw for 77, becoming the first bowler to dismiss both Root and Harry Brook twice in the same Test match.The right-hander then hits the lower row. Jofra ArcherHis stumps were rattled by a delivery that stayed low, Matthew Fisher cut across his stumps for Henry’s 150th Test wicket and Josh Tongue slipped to first as the paceman completed a sensational five-wicket haul in the innings.Henry’s spell on the final morning produced figures of 5-3 in just 31 deliveries as England’s resistance crumbled in less than an hour.“We hit the top on the replay,” the New Zealand captain Tom Latham he said. “Matt Henry is good at putting on target. First innings and second, he was building pressure through dot balls and getting key wickets. He’s been a leader for us for a long time, it’s nice for him to get results.”Since the start of 2024, Henry has emerged as one of the most effective fast bowlers in world cricket. After spending most of his career in the shadow of Tim Southee and Trent Boult, he blossomed as New Zealand’s pace leader, taking 80 wickets in the last 14 Tests and picking up seven of his eight career five-wicket hauls during that period.Reflecting on his turnaround from Lord’s to The Oval, Henry admitted the first Test was frustrating.“It’s a bad feeling when you let guys down on the first day,” he said. “It was great to come here and use my quota.”Henry is also credited with Wicketkeeper Tom Blundell for his role behind the stumps, particularly opposing the wicket and helping the English batsmen remain uncertain about their footwork.“Having a world-class operator like Tom is a big deal,” Henry said. “He’s always up for it. You can’t do that if you don’t have someone good behind the stumps. We know England like to create runs.”The pacer was just as quick to praise the New Zealand bowling unit as a whole.“It’s pretty easy when you have a strong bowling group. Kyle (Jamieson) and Will (O’Rourke) coming back from injury, their character is coming back to what it was. Nathan Smith is getting stronger. You’re only as good as the group.”For Henry, the Oval will now hold a special place in his career. More than two decades after Warne’s famous Ashes performance, the New Zealand seamer etched his name into the history of the field with a spell that ranks among the best by an England visiting bowler.
