NEW DELHI: Matt Henry, the New Zealand pacer, etched his name in the record books with a stunning five-wicket haul during the first Test against India at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Thursday. He became the Kiwi bowler with the most economical fifer in Test cricket history.
India, having won the toss, chose to bat first. However, this decision proved to be a mistake as the pace-friendly conditions and overcast skies favored the bowlers. India was bundled out for a mere 46 runs, with only Rishabh Pant (20) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (13) managing to reach double figures.
On day two of the first Test, following a washout on day one due to rain, Henry capitalized on the damp pitch and overcast conditions, decimating the Indian batting line-up.
In his spell of 13.2 overs, he claimed 5/15 with an economy rate of 1.10, the lowest by a Kiwi bowler in a Test fifer. His victims included key players such as Sarfaraz Khan, Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Kuldeep Yadav.
Henry's figures are the fourth-best by a Kiwi pacer in India, behind Tim Southee (7/64 in 2012 at Bengaluru), Dion Nash (6/27 in Mohali at 1999), and Richard Hadlee (6/49 in Wankhede in 1988).
Additionally, Henry reached the milestone of 100 Test wickets, becoming the second-fastest NZ player to achieve this feat in 26 Tests, tied with Neil Wagner and Bruce Taylor. The fastest Kiwi bowler to reach 100 Test wickets is Hadlee, who accomplished it in 25 Tests.
This match marks only the second instance when visiting pacers have taken all 10 wickets against India in a Test innings, with both occurrences coming from New Zealand, in 2012 and in this match.
