Matt Henry set to extend stay at Worcestershire

Worcestershire are set to keep the services of Matt Henry with the county wanting the New Zealander to stay for longer than originally planned.

The paceman, 24, was due to leave New Road towards the end of June but, having played in four County Championship games, the plan is for him to remain at Worcestershire for a longer period.

Fellow Black Cap Mitchell Santner was due to be Worcestershire’s overseas player for the entire T20 Blast but played only one game before having to end his spell because of a broken finger which required surgery.

Worcestershire director of cricket Steve Rhodes said: “At the moment, the plan will be to extend Matt’s contract for a bit longer. That will enable us to play both of them (Henry and Kyle Abbott) in the T20 should we want to do that.

“That will fill the gap (that Santner would have filled) but it will also help the situation regarding our bowlers.

“Matt was mapped out to play certain games and we were dove-tailing Mitch Santner with him. With Mitch’s unfortunate situation, it has put more pressure on Matt but it has also meant we are going into games without one (an overseas player) occasionally.

“Was Matt ever going to play 50 over cricket? No he wasn’t. He might do now. We’ve got the all clear (from New Zealand) to play him if we need him.”