New Zealand national cricket team fast bowler Matt Henry has been granted paternity leave and will fly home after their crucial Super 8 Group 2 match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 against England cricket team at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Friday, February 27, 2026. Henry is expecting the birth of his second child, and team management confirmed he will depart the tournament after today’s fixture.
Head coach Rob Walter backed Henry’s decision to be with his family. “Firstly, we’re all very excited for Matt and Holly on the arrival of their second child,” New Zealand coach Rob Walter said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo. “It’s a very significant moment for their family and we’re wishing them all the best.”
Walter added that the team remains hopeful Henry could return if New Zealand advances to the latter stages of the tournament. “There’s a lot of water to go under the bridge but we’re hopeful that the stars align for the team and for Matt and that we’ll see him back competing in the final phases of the competition,” he added.
Henry has been one of New Zealand’s most effective bowlers in the tournament. He is the team’s joint-leading wicket-taker with six wickets in five innings and has maintained an economy rate of 7.38.
New Zealand can secure a semifinal berth, and top spot in their Super Eight group with a win over England. Victory would take them to five points and set up a semifinal against the second-placed team from Group 1. It would also confirm that both semifinals will be played in India.
England has already qualified for the semifinals, but the result could determine final group standings in what promises to be a high-stakes contest.
New Zealand won the toss and chose to bat first, sticking with the same lineup that beat Sri Lanka in their previous match. England made one change, replacing Jamie Overton with Rehan Ahmed.