New Zealand pacer Matt Henry has been recalled to the national side for the upcoming three-match One Day International (ODI) series against the West Indies. Henry, who missed the final two ODIs against England last week due to a calf strain, is currently completing a rehabilitation programme to regain full fitness ahead of both the ODI and the subsequent three-match Test series.
Meanwhile, 32-year-old Blair Tickner, who produced a stellar performance against England, retains his place in the squad. Tickner was named Player of the Match in both the second and third ODIs, claiming a total of eight wickets across the two games at an impressive average of 12.25. Prior to the England series, Tickner had not represented New Zealand in the 50-over format since 2023.
However, New Zealand’s injury concerns continue to mount, with several key players still sidelined.
| Player | Injury Type |
|---|---|
| Mohammad Abbas | Ribs |
| Finn Allen | Foot |
| Lockie Ferguson | Hamstring |
| Adam Milne | Ankle |
| Will O’Rourke | Back |
| Glenn Phillips | Groin |
| Ben Sears | Hamstring |
In addition, Kane Williamson was not considered for selection as he focuses on preparations for the Test series, which is scheduled to begin on 2 December.
New Zealand ODI Squad:
Mitchell Santner (captain), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham (wicketkeeper), Daryl Mitchell, Rachin Ravindra, Nathan Smith, Blair Tickner, Will Young.
Head coach Rob Walter expressed delight at Henry’s return and commended Tickner’s recent form.
“Matt is an integral part of our squad and a senior figure in our pace attack. It’s fantastic to have him back for both the ODIs and Tests,” Walter said. “He’ll be fresh and fit after a well-deserved rest, and we know he’ll be eager to perform over what promises to be an exciting five-week period of white and red-ball cricket.”
Speaking about Tickner, Walter added:
“We couldn’t have asked for more from Ticks against England. His energy, pace, and bounce were a real challenge for some of the best batters in the world. It was impressive to see him step up on short notice and deliver such high-quality performances — a true reflection of the hard work he’s put in behind the scenes.”
New Zealand, who are currently on a run of ten consecutive ODI series victories, will be aiming to extend their streak following their 3-0 clean sweep of England. The West Indies series will commence on 16 November in Christchurch, with the remaining matches to be held on 19 November in Napier and 22 November in Hamilton.