Somerset hope to have Henry for Sussex match

New Zealand's Matt Henry was the top wicket-taker at the recent Champions Trophy

Somerset hope to have New Zealand pace bowler Matt Henry available for the second game of the County Championship season away to Sussex says head coach Jason Kerr.

Henry has re-signed with the county until 25 June 2025, having enjoyed an impressive spell in Taunton during 2023.

The 33-year-old has taken 312 wickets in 142 matches across all formats for the Black Caps and finished the recent Champions Trophy as the highest wicket-taker, despite missing the final with a shoulder injury.

"To add that world-class [ability] into what is already an incredibly competitive bowling unit, we're hoping to see him for the second game we're still waiting for confirmation on that," Kerr told BBC Radio Somerset.

"He's had a bit of a niggle recently, missed out on the Champions Trophy final which is a shame for him and it's right that he's fit and able."

Henry took 32 wickets in six County Championship matches during his last stint in Somerset, and was also the leading wicket-taker during the T20 Blast campaign when they went on to win the title.

Somerset spinner Jack Leach said Henry is someone he "looks up to" and that when he was on the England tour before Christmas in New Zealand he spoke to him about returning.

"I was speaking to him a lot in New Zealand trying to convince him that it would be a good idea to come back," Leach said.

"He's a great lad to have, so much experience and absolutely nailing all three formats in international cricket for New Zealand and someone I definitely look up to and I think a lot of the guys do."

Henry arrives at the club as England off-spinner Shoaib Bashir heads to Glamorgan on loan for the first three matches of the season.

Kerr said the move was to ensure Bashir - who is behind Leach at Somerset - gets playing time.

"Bash has got a huge summer coming up and then potentially The Ashes as well in the winter. We've got to do what's right by him as an individual. We've had lots of conversations, if we were looking to play two spinners he'd be here," Kerr said.

"Strategically we're not going to do that early season and he obviously needs to be playing cricket."

'Ran out of steam' last season

Kerr said his side have "invested a lot of work" over the winter in the mental side of the game after losing four straight matches at the end of last season in all competitions, to miss out on the chance at three trophies.

Somerset lost both the T20 Blast and One-Day Cup finals, and also lost their final two County Championship matches as Surrey won the title.

Kerr said at the time that his side needed to develop a "mental robustness".

"The reality is when you look back we just ran out of steam, mentally we ran out of steam," Kerr said.

"It's managing those situations where mentally you're draining yourself without even knowing it.

"It's having an awareness for guys to recognise when those moments are coming and to have the ability to take a step back, stay calm and apply their skill."