New dad Matt Henry delivers as New Zealand storm into T20 World Cup final

Matt Henry (left) and wife Holly. Pic/Getty Images

From celebrating the birth of his son back home to delivering a crucial final over in the T20 World Cup semi-final, NZ pacer Matt Henry capped a whirlwind week of emotions as the Black Caps stormed into the final with a nine-wicket demolition of South Africa.

Henry, who had returned home after the match against England on February 27 for the birth of his child, rejoined the squad in Kolkata hours before the semi-final on Wednesday. Despite the exhausting travel, the pacer returned figures of 2-34, both wickets coming in the final over, restricting the Proteas to 169-8. The Kiwis chased down the total with ease.

"Pretty special to be able to get home for that [child birth]. Holly [wife] is doing well and Jack [newborn son] is really good as well and Annabelle's enjoying being a big sister," Henry said of his extraordinary week at a media interaction after their win.

Getting back to India in time for the semi-final meant a gruelling travel schedule, which was complicated by global travel disruptions amid tensions in the West Asia.
"There was a lot of sleep on the way back. I was always going home [for the child birth] but to get back for the semi-final, feels great," added Henry.