‘Kyle bhai kohli ko baksh dena please’ – Fans react as Kyle Jamieson replaces injured Matt Henry for New Zealand’s remaining ODI World Cup matches

New Zealand’s ODI World Cup 2023 campaign has been hit hard by consecutive setbacks. First, their captain Kane Williamson suffered an injury in his opening match and had to be rested for nearly a month. Now, the Kiwi team faces another significant setback as their key fast bowler, Matt Henry has been ruled out for the entire tournament due to a hamstring injury he sustained during their match against South Africa.

In response to Henry’s absence, the New Zealand Cricket Board has selected their talented all-rounder, Kyle Jamieson, as Henry’s replacement for the remaining matches of the ODI World Cup. This decision has stirred reactions from fans on social media. Many fans have pointed out how Jamieson has troubled India’s star batsman, Virat Kohli, in the past. However, it’s worth noting that New Zealand will only face India if they qualify for the knockout stage of the tournament.

However, the news comes as a blow to New Zealand’s bowling lineup, given Henry’s impressive form as he is the 2nd highest wicket-taker for the Blackcaps with 11 wickets in 7 matches, but it also brings new hope with Jamieson’s incredible talent and potential. Standing at an imposing 6’8″, Jamieson is known for his ability to extract bounce and movement from the pitch, making him a valuable asset for the Kiwi team. 

We’re all going to miss Henry’s personality and experience: Gary Stead

Fans are eager to see how Jamieson’s inclusion will impact New Zealand’s performance in this crucial tournament. Meanwhile, New Zealand’s head coach, Gary Stead talked about Henry’s injury and said that Henry getting injured at the crucial stage of the tournament is very disappointing.

“We’re gutted for him. Matt’s been a crucial part of our One Day side for a long time and to see him ruled out as we reach the business end of this tournament is immensely disappointing. He’s consistently been ranked inside the world’s top 10 ODI bowlers for the past few years which is a testament to his class and skills. Moreover, Matt’s a great team man and we’re all going to miss his personality and experience.” Stead was quoted as saying by Sports Tiger.

Here’s how fans reacted: