Karunesh Kumar Rai
LSG have acquired New Zealand pacer Matt Henry as replacement for former England player David Willey. Ahead of their IPL 2024 fixture against Punjab Kings, Lucknow Super Giants have roped in Matt Henry as replacement for England all-rounder David Willey. Willey pulled out from the tournament due to personal reasons. The New Zealand pacer has been purchased by LSG for his base price of ₹1.25 crores.
Matt Henry has signed with the LSG for the IPL 2024. Henry has represented NZ in 25 Tests, 82 ODI and 17 T20I so far. In the past, he has been a part of the Punjab Kings and Chennai Super Kings in the Tata IPL, featured in two IPL matches so far, both for the Punjab Kings in 2017. Matt Henry with his pace and swing will improve the power-play bowling of LSG. He is a destructive batsmen in the lower order and can smash big sixes, he was seen to trouble Indian batters back in 2019 World Cup semi-finals with his sharp out-swinger. He even had a very decent 2023 World Cup with 11 wickets in 7 matches. In 17 T20 internationals so far he has picked 20 wickets with an economy of 8.12.
LSG have been winless this season and Henry’s arrival could be the right move for both parties. The presence of a proven international pacer could help their bowling unit put in a better display. After Mark Wood, David Willey is the second English player to leave LSG this season.
