Source: Radio New Zealand
Matt Henry celebrates a wicket. photosport
Seamer Matt Henry grabbed five wickets and came up clutch in the final over as the Black Caps saw off the United States by seven runs in a T20 World Cup warmup match in Mumbai.
It capped a difficult day for New Zealand, who couldn’t field ill batsmen Rachin Ravindra, with a viral infection having struck the team this week, according to coach Rob Walter.
Devon Conway was only cleared late to play the game while fellow-opener Finn Allen missed the game with a shoulder complaint.
Walter said he expected to have a fully fit squad to choose from for Sunday’s opening pool match against Afghanistan in Chennai.
Henry at least showed he was fit and firing, finishing with 5-32 as the US reached 201-8 off their 20 overs, in response to New Zealand’s 208-7.
The unheralded American side needed 12 to win off the final over but experienced seamer Henry halted them in their tracks, conceding just four runs and taking the wickets of Shubham Ranjane and Mohammad Mohsin off the second and fourth balls.
Earlier, Henry claimed the scalp of Andries Gous from the first ball of the chase and he later removed Milind Kumar for 43, while legspinner Ish Sodhi (2-27) dismissed top-scorer Saiteja Mukkamalla for 50.
New Zealand’s best with the bat was opener Tim Seifert, who blasted 66 off 31 balls before retiring to give others time at the crease.
Glenn Phillips struck a rapid 40 and Daryl Mitchell contributed 32.
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
