New Zealand to bring in Henry as Allen replacement

New Zealand fast bowler Matt Henry will join up with his national side teammates in Dhaka as the replacement for Finn Allen for the upcoming five-match T20I series, starting on September 01, reports Cricbuzz.

Henry comes 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.

Henry was initially only part of the squad that was to play three ODIs and five T20Is in Pakistan, starting September 17, but will now leave from New Zealand on August 30 to join the national side in Bangladesh as well.

"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 head coach Gary Stead. The decision to send Henry on a short notice also had to do with the fact that he has already been vaccinated twice for Covid-19, and has a managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) bed allocated for his return.

Stead also said he didn't consider players currently in the UK due to the seven-day isolation period they would face on arrival into Dhaka.

Henry said the call-up was a "great opportunity".

"I have played against Bangladesh over the last few years. But those were in our conditions, which are very different than what we are about to experience," he said.