Henry tears India top order apart as New Zealand romp to 244-run win
NEW ZEALAND: Matt Henry produced a scintillating opening over to remove Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer all without scoring as New Zealand thrashed a ragged India by 244 runs in the fourth ODI at Mount Maunganui on Friday.
The fast bowler took a career-best 6-27 and Will Young struck a century as the hosts pulled the series back to 2-1 down with a game to play this Sunday.New Zealand made 333 all out in the last over after being asked to bat, Young punishing two simple drops by Indian fielders to bring up his fifth ODI hundred.
India never stood a chance of chasing the total after Henry’s heavenly opening over.
Rohit edged his first ball to slip, Kohli was bowled facing his fourth ball, and then Iyer was pegged on his back leg to fall lbw.
India’s rebuild never happened, Ishan Kishan top-scoring with just 27.
“It’s quite funny isn’t it, the wind was quite strong so it was about keeping things simple,” Henry said of his incredible spell.
Henry tore India’s much-vaunted top order apart with the visitors, needing a massive 334 for victory, rolled for just 89.Henry was returning to the Black Caps after a head clash with Devon Conway in training last week which concussed the batter and kept Henry out of the first three games.
“It wasn’t ideal,” Henry said of the head clash, “But thankfully we’re doing alright now.”
New Zealand’s imposing total came off the back of Young’s 125 from 108 balls, including 14 fours and four sixes.
Young and Tim Seifert combined for an 85-run opening partnership.When Seifert fell for 58, Nick Kelly and Dean Foxcroft soon followed playing reckless shots.
Young found better support in Finn Allen, the pair putting on 90 runs in just 65 balls as they seized on wayward Indian bowling.
Young’s first 50 came from 49 balls, and his second from just 39 balls as he hit regular boundaries through the middle overs.
Allen made 41 from 30 deliveries, including five fours and two sixes.
“We tried almost everything,” India captain Iyer said of the bowling performance.