Pace bowler Matt Henry is looking forward to a game he has always dreamed of playing as the BLACKCAPS count down to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 Final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The BLACKCAPS, who earned their place in the final for the first time on the back of the heroics of Grant Elliott against South Africa, will have their first training at the iconic venue tomorrow.
Henry, a late call-up into the squad for the injured Adam Milne, said it was a surreal feeling to be in Melbourne and preparing for the biggest game of his life.
“This is definitely something I will never forget,” the 23-year-old said to a media scrum on the banks of the Yarra River.
“As a kid, you grow up pretending to be these [cricketing] heroes, like playing with my brother out the back and going through scenarios like running in to bowl at a World Cup final.
“You have to pinch yourself. I’ve been presented with an opportunity which I’m very grateful for and excited about. You want to be a part of it, it’s an amazing time, so it’s just great to be here now.”
Henry was called in as injury cover for the BLACKCAPS when Milne complained of a sore heel following the quarterfinal against the West Indies in Wellington. The Palmy pace man never recovered and his bad luck was Henry’s good luck.
“Unfortunately for Adam it wasn’t the best news so my brief was just prepare to play, and thankfully I got the nod on the day [of the semi-final].”
Henry came close to the initial ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 squad and revealed that he had still be in contact with BLACKCAPS bowling coach Shane Bond and was involved in the scouting process over email.
He carried his recent Plunket Shield form onto the big stage and his opening spell – where he bowled five overs, two maidens and went for only nine runs – was world class. It prompted the Eden Park faithful to chant his name in full voice.
Henry said the two other pace bowlers in the unit, Auckland’s Kyle Mills and Mitchell McClenaghan, have been very supportive of him as he has come into the squad and into the starting line-up.
“They’ve been fantastic. We’re all a very close unit and we just want what’s best for the team and the country, we’re all working toward the same goal.”
“It’s such a great group and to be involved in the last 12 months with this team has been special. The character in the team is just fantastic.”
Many have compared Henry’s inclusion in the BLACKCAPS to Stephen Donald’s famous call up for the All Blacks in the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
While Donald was out white-baiting when he got the SOS call from Graham Henry, Henry was sober driving at his cousin’s engagement party when Mike Hesson delivered the good news.
Henry said he is taking every day in his stride and there was no danger of being overawed by the occasion.
“It’s not a time to be afraid, this is something to enjoy. It’s all been a bit of a contrast coming from the Plunket Shield, where there are not too many around, to everyone screaming my name at Eden Park.”
Henry’s girlfriend Holly arrived in Melbourne today and is keen head out for some shopping. His parents arrive on Saturday, while his brother will also attend with a few mates. He bought tickets weeks ago and never thought that he’d be watching his brother in action.
Henry expected the MCG would be “an awesome place to play cricket”.
He has only been to the sports capital of Australia once, last October when the BLACKCAPS had a reconnaissance mission to the venue.
“We had a wee look around the ground to check it out and spent a few days here at the hotel and finding some favourite restaurants.”
When he runs onto the hallowed turf of the MCG tomorrow for the BLACKCAPS first training, it will be for the first time.
The down-to-earth Cantabrian, who ripped one in at the 147km per hour last week, wasn’t concerned about the size of the world famous MCG.
“We’ll adapt to the conditions, nothing’s changed there. We play on all sorts of different grounds around the world. We’ve got to embrace it.”
ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 Final BLACKCAPS v TBC
