BLACK Caps paceman Matt Henry has extended his stay with Worcestershire to help fill the gap left by injured Mitchell Santner.
The New Zealander, who is currently recovering from a rib injury, was due to leave New Road towards the end of June, but will now remain for a longer period after fellow Kiwi Santner suffered a fractured finger which required surgery.
Henry has so far played in four Specsavers County Championship Division Two matches, taking 19 wickets, and has featured in the first four NatWest T20 Blast group games.
And the paceman can now participate in the Royal London One Day Cup, despite the format not being part of the original schedule agreed with New Zealand.
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 Henry and Kyle Abbott in the T20 should we want to.
“It will fill the gap Santner would have filled, but it will also help the situation regarding our bowlers.
“It will help in making sure we get the right balance of strength, conditioning work, rest and playing time, to try and make sure our bowlers last all the way through to August/September.”
Rhodes also explained the schedule that was mapped out with New Zealand cricket over the 24-year-old Kiwi.
“Matt was scheduled to play certain games and we were dove-tailing Mitch Santner with him,” he added.
“With Mitch’s unfortunate situation, it has put more pressure on Matt, but it has also meant we’re going into games without 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.”