Exclusive: New Zealand's Matt Henry lauds 'brilliant' Mitchell Santner on the First Sports show

New Zealand pacer Matt Henry was full of praise for Mitchell Santner, after the latter’s all-round heroics helped the Black Caps thump Netherlands ,by 99 runs in the 2023 World Cup match in Hyderabad on 9 October.

World Cup 2023: News | Schedule | Results | Points table

Santner won the Player of the Match for his all-round heroics. After having scored 36 off just 17 deliveries to help New Zealand post 322/7 from 50 overs, Santner produced impressive returns with the ball too, finishing with figures of 5/59. Netherlands were eventually bowled out for 223 in 46.3 overs.

“He’s (Santner) been brilliant. I think he’s been so good for us for so long now, and to see him continue showing his class was brilliant and last night (9 October) was another example of that really. To see him finish off the innings. We know how dangerous he is with the bat at the end of an innings,” Henry said on the Mic Up segment of the First Sports show hosted by Rupha Ramani.

“He executed it beautifully, and to come out with the ball, as always there was beautiful control. And there was a lot on offer for spinners with the turn and he extracted that beautifully,” added Henry.

Talking about the opening game against England, Henry said that he was trying to create pressure on the opposition. He said that it was important to get Jos Buttler out given the batting power he possessed. Matt Henry dismissed Buttler in the 33^rd over.

“I was trying to create pressure against England. But, I obviously like to come out and attack. I was just trying to make sure we could restrict them as much as we can. Getting Jos out was an important part of it. With the kind of power that he possesses, he was kind of looking threatening at the time, so it’s always good to get him out at that point,” continued the 31-year-old.

New Zealand are currently in second place in the points table with four points, behind South Africa, who beat Australia on Thursday.

The Kiwis next face Bangladesh in Chennai on Friday.