New Zealand include pacer Henry for first Test against West indies

On the eve of the opening Test against the West Indies at Basin Reserve, New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson on Thursday picked paceman Matt Henry as a replacement for veteran Tim Southee in the playing XI.

Southee, who is expecting the birth of his child, will miss the first Test against the Caribbean side.

“Henry has been playing well for a long time and hasn’t had the opportunities that he’s deserved. He’s a different bowler to Lockie and has been bowling with good pace, does tend to move the ball well and it’s exciting for Matt,” Williamson said in Wellington on Thursday.

“He’s been waiting for an opportunity and doing all the right things, and performed well in our last Test match. He was outstanding,” he added.

New Zealand XI for first Test:

Kane Williamson (Captain), Tom Latham, Jeet Raval, Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, Tom Blundell (WK), Mitchell Santner, Colin de Grandhomme, Matt Henry, Neil Wagner, Trent Boult.