Fast bowler Matt Henry to join New Zealand squad in Bangladesh

Henry came in after Allen tested positive for Covid-19 on arrival in Dhaka. Though a replacement has been named, Allen will stay on with the New Zealand squad and be constantly monitored by the team doctor Pat McHugh.

The 29-year-old Henry was initially selected solely for the Pakistan ODI leg of the Black Caps away trip, but will now leave New Zealand on Monday to join the team in Dhaka.

Henry last made a T20I appearance four years ago in Napier, also against Bangladesh. He has taken seven wickets in six career T20I matches, only going wicketless in his debut back in December 2014 against Pakistan.

New Zealand Men's Head Coach Gary Stead acknowledges Henry is not a straight swap for Allen, though feels he will bring balance to the group, helping with the bowling workload.

'Matt’s clearly not a like-for-like replacement for Finn, but he expands our selection options and, in the current circumstances, is the best equipped to join the side at such short notice,' said Stead.

'He’s received both doses of the Covid-19 vaccination and already has an MIQ bed allocated for his return. And, in the current environment, we remain mindful of the need to carefully balance player workloads,' he added.

Squad: Tom Latham (captain), Finn Allen, Hamish Bennett, Tom Blundell, Doug Bracewell, Colin de Grandhomme, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Scott Kuggeleijn, Cole McConchie, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Rachin Ravindra, Ben Sears, Blair Tickner, Will Young.