New Zealand pacer Matt Henry on February 1 dazzled in the Super Smash 2024-25 Eliminator 1 clash in Wellington. Canterbury's Henry was economical as he bowled three maidens, conceded two runs and claimed two wickets as well. Henry and Kyle Jamieson put Northern Knights under immense pressure with the new ball and reduced them to 7/5 in the sixth over.
After Canterbury skipper Cole McConchie won the toss and opted to bowl first, Henry started with a maiden over agaisnt Katene D Clarke. Jamieson took advantage of the pressure created and dismissed Joe Carter for a two-ball duck. Ben Pomare scored the only boundary of the powerplay overs. In his second over, Henry got D Clarke caught in slip cordon by Daryl Mitchell. He departed for an eight-ball duck. Jamieson continued to strike as well and dismissed Pomare in the fourth over. In his third over, Henry sent Robert ODonnell packing for just a single. Another wicket fell in the powerplay overs as Jamieson knocked over Fergus Lellman for a seven-ball duck. After powerplay overs, Northern Knights were 10/5.
After three consecutive maidens, Henry conceded two singles off the last three balls of his spell. Knights had 12 runs on the board after seven overs with half the side back home. Jeet Raval and Brett Hampton did some damage control and took Knights past 50. Then Henry Shipley was introduced into the attack and he dismissed Hampton and Kristian Clarke off consecutive deliveries. Neil Wagner contributed with a cameo but Raval's 39-ball 45 helped Knights post 110/9.
Chad Bowes' unbeaten 33 and Matthew Boyle's 25-ball 48 helped Canterbury chase down the target with seven wickets in hand and 41 balls to spare. Henry was named 'Player of the match'.
Henry's form and numbers in previous IPL edition
The 33-year-old pacer who was released by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and ignored by franchises in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction, has been in tremendous form of late. In the ongoing tournament, he has taken 11 wickets from five innings including a fifer for just 18 runs. His bowling average is 5.27 and economy rate is just 3.27 runs per over.
In the previous edition, he returned to IPL after seven years. He played four matches for LSG and managed to take just one wicket. His economy rate was 9.16 runs per over.