New Zealand stay alive in ODI series after career-best 6-27 from returning pace spearhead and Will Young century
MOUNT MAUNGANUI, New Zealand — Matt Henry produced a devastating opening over to dismiss Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shreyas Iyer without scoring, spearheading a dominant 244-run victory for New Zealand over a ragged India in the fourth One-Day International on Friday.
Henry finished with career-best figures of 6-27 as India, chasing an imposing target of 334, collapsed to 89 all out. The win keeps the hosts alive in the series, reducing India’s lead to 2-1 ahead of Sunday’s finale.
The Opening Blitz
Returning to the side after missing the first three matches following a training-ground head clash with Devon Conway—which left the batter concussed—Henry wasted no time dismantling India’s top order in windy conditions at Bay Oval.
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First ball: Rohit Sharma edged behind to slip.
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Fourth ball: Virat Kohli was bowled.
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Fifth ball: Shreyas Iyer was trapped lbw on the back leg.
With three premier batters back in the pavilion inside six deliveries, India’s innings never recovered. Ishan Kishan offered the only brief resistance, top-scoring with 27 before the visitors were bowled out inside the distance.
“It’s quite funny isn’t it, the wind was quite strong so it was about keeping things simple,” Henry said after the match. “A bit of luck as well. It was about trying to hit the strings, be as simple as possible, and when it moves sharply like that in the first over it’s pretty tough.”
Reflecting on his injury layoff, Henry added: “It wasn’t ideal, but thankfully we’re doing alright now.”
