In a significant move for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season, the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have secured the services of New Zealand’s seasoned pacer Matt Henry. Filling the void left by English bowling allrounder David Willey, Henry enters the squad at his base price of INR 1.25 crores, set to reinforce LSG’s pace battery alongside international names such as Shamar Joseph, Naveen-ul-Haq, and talented allrounders Kyle Mayers and Marcus Stoinis.
The franchise faced an unexpected void when David Willey stepped away from the 17th edition of the high-profile cricket league for personal reasons. This unexpected departure necessitated the onboarding of a skilled player to fill his shoes, a role Henry is well-equipped to assume.
Matt Henry, known for his sharp bowling skills, adds a layer of rich experience to the LSG pace lineup, which was perceived to lack such depth. The 32-year-old has under his belt 131 T20 matches with a tally of 151 wickets, maintaining an economy rate of 8.39. Despite featuring only in 17 T20 Internationals for New Zealand – where he is typically utilized more in One Day Internationals (ODIs) – his proficiency in white-ball cricket is undeniable.
Possessing an outstanding ODI track record with 141 wickets from 82 games at an impressive average of 26.39, Henry also boasts of achieving 10 four-wicket hauls and two five-wicket hauls. His experience in the IPL, albeit limited, includes a stint with Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) back in 2017, during which he played in two of the tournament matches.
In contrast, LSG had roped in Willey after spending INR 2 crores at the mini-auction last December. Previously part of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) lineup for two seasons, Willey decided to retire from all forms of international cricket during the ODI World Cup in India in 2023. Prior to the IPL’s 17th edition, he remained active on the T20 circuit, playing for Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in the International League T20 and then for Multan Sultans in the ninth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL 9).
LSG’s decision to bring in Matt Henry is seen as a strategic move to balance youthful zest with seasoned expertise. Experts believe Henry’s induction is promising for the team’s prospects in the IPL 2024 season, giving them a potential edge with his experience in pressure situations and tight overs.
The Lucknow Super Giants’ squad looks robust, with an amalgam of international stars and local talents. The squad includes:
– KL Rahul (c & wk),
– Quinton de Kock,
– Devdutt Padikkal,
– Ayush Badoni,
– Marcus Stoinis,
– Nicholas Pooran,
– Krunal Pandya,
– Ravi Bishnoi,
– Mohsin Khan,
– Naveen-ul-Haq,
– Yash Thakur,
– Deepak Hooda,
– Mayank Yadav,
– Amit Mishra,
– Prerak Mankad,
– Krishnappa Gowtham,
– Shivam Mavi,
– Shamar Joseph,
– Matt Henry,
– Kyle Mayers,
– Ashton Turner,
– Manimaran Siddharth,
– Yudhvir Singh Charak,
– Arshad Khan, and
– Arshin Kulkarni.
With an eye towards clinching the coveted trophy, LSG has undeniably mapped out a remarkable lineup. The addition of Matt Henry signifies their intent to leave no stone unturned in their endeavor to establish a formidable presence in IPL 2024.
