Henry, Player of the Match with 11 wickets in last week’s 253-run victory at The Oval, has been ruled out with a calf injury, while Phillips, who scored his maiden Test century in New Zealand’s first innings, has reported a side strain.
Both men first experienced their injuries during the Oval Test. Henry subsequently underwent a scan which revealed a low-grade muscle strain. According to NZC, his anticipated recovery time is between two to four weeks. Phillips will undergo further assessment to determine his return to action.
The setbacks are a huge blow to New Zealand, who appeared to have all of the momentum going into a crucial contest. England had already announced four changes to the side that lost last week, including the return of their captain Ben Stokes and fast bowler Gus Atkinson, who were not selected in the wake of the nightclub episode that marred England’s victory in the series opener at Lord’s.
New Zealand had already indicated two changes to their XI, with the spinner Mitchell Santner likely to play his first match of the series, with Blair Tickner expected to be a like-for-like replacement for Kyle Jamieson, who was to be rested as part of his recovery from a back-stress injury.
