Kolkata, March 5 (NationPress) New Zealand's fast bowler Matt Henry expressed that it was particularly meaningful to secure a spot in another T20 World Cup final following a decisive nine-wicket victory over South Africa in the semi-final, especially after returning home for the birth of his son.

During the match held at Eden Gardens, Henry delivered a commendable performance, taking 2 wickets for 34 runs as New Zealand advanced to their second T20 World Cup final. Opening batsman Finn Allen set a new record by scoring the fastest century in tournament history, achieving the milestone in just 33 balls, which helped propel New Zealand into the final scheduled for Sunday in Ahmedabad, where they will compete against either India or England.

Henry's bowling performance was particularly impressive considering he stepped onto the field less than 24 hours after arriving back in India, having taken paternity leave following New Zealand’s last Super Eights game against England on February 27.

"It’s quite special to be home for such an occasion. Thankfully, Holly is doing well, and Jack is thriving, while Annabelle is enjoying her role as a big sister. Everything is going well at home," Henry shared.

He added, "Reaching another final is truly special, and the team is buzzing with excitement. For the moment, we’re savoring this victory. The players have been performing exceptionally well, and Finn’s innings was nothing short of phenomenal. We’ll celebrate this win before shifting our focus to the upcoming challenge,” Henry remarked to the media after the match.

When questioned about his preparation for the semi-final, Henry mentioned relying on his past experiences and the rest he managed during the journey to Kolkata. "We’ve played a lot of cricket lately, so there’s a level of trust among the players. Inclement weather can hinder training, so we’ve focused on keeping everyone mentally sharp and confident in our skills," he explained.

“My priority was to arrive and fulfill my role in the team, and fortunately, we accomplished that. To be honest, I managed to catch quite a bit of sleep during the journey back. My family was my main focus, and I was eager to return for the semi-final, so it’s wonderful to be here now," he stated.

Henry also expressed satisfaction with the Blackcaps' bowling unit for keeping South Africa to a total of 169 runs for 8 wickets, despite Marco Jansen's explosive fifty towards the end. "Restricting that formidable side to 169 runs was an excellent achievement. It’s a score we would gladly accept here at Kolkata and Eden Gardens."

“It’s quite challenging to defend such a small ground with power hitters like those on the South African side. We did a commendable job of controlling the game and generating momentum for our batting innings, which is always a positive," he concluded.