Is Matt Henry available for the first semi-final match between South Africa and New Zealand scheduled to be played on March 4 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata? Talking to the media at the pre-match press conference, captain Mitchell Santner said the pacer is yet to join the team.

The New Zealand pacer had to return home to await the birth of his child. He is expected to join the squad on the evening of March 3, with the New Zealand match taking place on March 4 at 7pm. With just a few hours until the game, Matt Henry will join the team.

New Zealand pacer Matt Henry uncertain for semi-final against South Africa on March 4

At a press conference in Kolkata, Mitchell Santner said the pacemaker had not yet entered Indian airspace. The team management is yet to make a final decision on whether to play Henry against South Africa. Santner said pacers are under their consideration but the final decision will be taken after measuring the fitness of the bowlers on match day tomorrow.

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“Matt is in the air at the moment; he’s landing tonight, so I guess we’ll see how he gets up – New Zealand is obviously a long way away. But he’ll obviously do a lap in the morning to see if he’s ready to go. So, yeah, hopefully he’ll get going,” the New Zealand captain said at his pre-match press conference.

Matt Henry in fine form for T20 World Cup 2026

The 34-year-old Seamer was in good form with the New Zealand cricket team before returning home. In the Super 8 session against Sri Lanka on February 25, Matt Henry went on a rampage against Sri Lanka’s batting order, taking 2 wickets in 2 overs, including a maiden over, providing only 3 runs.

In the following match against England on February 27, the right-arm fastman took the wicket of Phil Salt and ended his bowling career with figures of 1/19 in 2.3 overs.

New Zealand will face South Africa in this tournament on February 14 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. South Africa, the unbeaten side so far in the 2026 T20 World Cup, won the match by 7 wickets with 17 balls to spare.

South Africa pacer Marco Jansen takes over New Zealand’s batting order

South African pacer Marco Jansen almost single-handedly claimed the top spot of the opposition team. New Zealand openers Tim Seifert and Finn Allen felt a little lacking against Marco Janssen.

New Zealand batsman No. 3 Rachin Ravindra and middle-order batsman Glenn Phillips were both dismissed by the same pacer. Batting first, New Zealand scored a competitive total of 175 runs for the loss of seven wickets.

In the second innings, as New Zealand struggled to protect the total, Matt Henry proved costly as he conceded 38 runs in 4 overs without taking any wickets. Jacob Duffy became the Black Caps’ most expensive bowler on the night, conceding a total of 50 runs in 3-over matches.

Read more: South Africa vs New Zealand – Semi-final 1 | ICC T20 World Cup 2026