Cricket World Player of the Week - Matt Henry

Matt Henry is one of those underrated cricketers who seldom get recognition for their contributions. Cue the 2019 ODI World Cup semi-final against India.

It came as a pleasant surprise when Sky Sports presenters chose Matt Henry as the Player of the Match for his 6/114 in the 2nd test between England and New Zealand at Edgbaston.

It could have been very easy to give it to one of the three New Zealand batsmen Devon Conway, Will Young and Ross Taylor who scored 80s, as is the wont, but they chose Matt Henry who really had the most impactful performance in the match.

It was courtesy of his six dismissals in the game that the England batting could never set a platform. Henry dismissed Dom Sibley, Joe Root and Mark Wood in the first innings and then accounted for the dismissals of England's top three in Rory Burns, Dom Sibley and Zak Crawley in the second innings to put in a match-winning performance.

Dom Sibley edges one to the slips as Matt Henry gets his second!

A strong end to the session for the visitors as tea is called at Edgbaston ??#ENGvNZ | https://t.co/NOu7dQhtuR pic.twitter.com/2OriTiXZVt

— ICC (@ICC) June 12, 2021

"What a way to finish the series. The crowd has been unbelievable, a lot of Kiwi support as well. Incredible, they have come out in numbers and showed great energy. Just knowing how to go about your work and past experiences help. Wicket seemed a bit quicker and we knew it's gonna be a new ball wicket and we always wanted to put pressure and pick wickets in clusters. We had a strong squad for a long time and you just enjoy your role for the team, it doesn't get much better than that," Henry said after receiving the award.

New Zealand have terrific bench strength and Henry's performance has certainly given them a headache for the World Test Championship final selection.

© Cricket World 2021