Matt Henry, Glenn Phillips ruled out of NZ vs England series decider at Trent Bridge
Synopsis
New Zealand head into the series-deciding third Test at Trent Bridge without their top-ranked bowler Matt Henry (calf strain) and all-rounder Glenn Phillips (side strain) — both hurt at The Oval where Henry took 11 wickets in a 253-run win. With Kyle Jamieson also rested, the Black Caps are fielding a significantly redrawn attack while England welcome back Stokes and Atkinson.
Key Takeaways
Matt Henry , the ICC's top-ranked Test bowler , is out with a left calf low-grade muscle strain — recovery estimated at two to four weeks .
Glenn Phillips has been ruled out with a side strain ; his return timeline is under assessment.
Kyle Jamieson is also absent, rested for workload management after successive back stress fractures.
New Zealand have included Mitchell Santner , Blair Tickner , and Ben Sears in their XI and won the toss, electing to bat.
England welcome back captain Ben Stokes , Gus Atkinson , and Jamie Smith for the decider at Trent Bridge .
The series is level at 1-1 , with New Zealand having won the second Test at The Oval by 253 runs .
Matt Henry and Glenn Phillips have been ruled out of New Zealand's series-deciding third Test against England at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, due to injuries sustained during the second Test, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) confirmed on Thursday. The dual blow significantly weakens the Black Caps' bowling and batting depth heading into the decider.
Injury Details
Henry, who claimed 11 wickets in New Zealand's 253-run win in the second Test at The Oval and currently holds the top spot in the ICC Men's Test bowling rankings, will miss the match due to a left calf low-grade muscle strain. Scans confirmed the injury after he felt pain during the Oval Test, with initial assessment indicating a recovery window of two to four weeks.
Phillips, a batting all-rounder, has been sidelined with a side strain also sustained at The Oval. NZC said further assessment would determine his return-to-play timeline.
In a statement released just 15 minutes before toss time, NZC confirmed both absences: 'Matt Henry will miss the third Test against England at Trent Bridge due to a calf injury... Initial assessment suggests a recovery time of two to four weeks. Glenn Phillips will miss the third Test against England at Trent Bridge due to a side strain injury... Further assessment will determine Phillips' return-to-play timeline.'
New Zealand's Revised XI
Compounding the selection challenge, pace bowler Kyle Jamieson has also been rested due to workload management following successive back stress fractures. In response, New Zealand have drafted in Mitchell Santner, Blair Tickner, and travelling reserve Ben Sears into their playing eleven. The Black Caps won the toss and elected to bat first.
England Bolstered by Key Returns
England, by contrast, enter the decider with renewed firepower. Captain Ben Stokes and fast bowler Gus Atkinson — both absent from the second Test following an ECB investigation into a nightclub incident linked to a team curfew breach after the 115-run win at Lord's — have been cleared of any wrongdoing by the Cricket Regulator and return to the lineup.
Wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith also comes back after paternity leave, and specialist off-spinner Shoaib Bashir has been included, giving England a well-rounded attack for the Trent Bridge surface.
What's at Stake
The series is level at 1-1, with New Zealand having levelled after their dominant Oval performance. Losing Henry — the architect of that win — ahead of the decider is a significant setback. This is the first time in the series that New Zealand head into a Test without their leading wicket-taker. How their reshuffled attack performs on a Trent Bridge pitch historically known to assist seamers will be the defining question of the match.
Point of View
And his absence at Trent Bridge, a seam-friendly ground, removes the Black Caps' single most dangerous weapon at the worst possible moment. The timing of the NZC announcement — 15 minutes before toss — also raises questions about how long the team management knew and whether squad planning was adequate. England, meanwhile, enter the decider with Stokes back and the curfew-breach cloud lifted, giving them a psychological edge that the scoreline alone does not capture.
NationPress
25 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Matt Henry ruled out of the Trent Bridge Test?
Matt Henry is ruled out due to a low-grade left calf muscle strain sustained during the second Test at The Oval. Scans confirmed the injury, and initial assessment suggests a recovery time of two to four weeks.
What injury has kept Glenn Phillips out of the series decider?
Glenn Phillips has been ruled out with a side strain also picked up during the second Test at The Oval. New Zealand Cricket said further assessment would determine his return-to-play timeline.
Who replaces Henry and Phillips in New Zealand's XI for the third Test?
New Zealand have brought in Mitchell Santner, Blair Tickner, and travelling reserve Ben Sears to fill the gaps. Kyle Jamieson is also absent, rested for workload management after successive back stress fractures.
Why were Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson missing from the second Test?
Stokes and Atkinson were left out of the second Test at The Oval following an ECB investigation into a nightclub incident linked to a curfew breach after England's 115-run win at Lord's. Both have since been cleared of any wrongdoing by the Cricket Regulator and return for Trent Bridge.
What is the series situation heading into the Trent Bridge Test?
The series is level at 1-1. New Zealand won the second Test at The Oval by 253 runs, with Henry taking 11 wickets, to level after England won the first Test at Lord's by 115 runs.
