'We have got those bases covered' - Rob Walter unfazed by Matt Henry's possible absence for semi-final

New Zealand pacer Matt Henry has travelled back home for the birth of his second child and is slated to return a day before the team's T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final against South Africa at Eden Gardens on Wednesday, March 4. 

Head Coach Rob Walter shed light on the fast bowler's situation and the plans in place for his return for the important clash. Significantly, Walter is unperturbed by the situation in case Henry does not make it in time to Kolkata as the 50-year-old revealed the team has contingency plans in place.

"Matt's home - safe and sound. We're dealing with nature. So we're first and foremost just hoping that everything goes off smoothly with the birth of his child and that he's able to celebrate that with his family. If everything works out according to plan and stars align, he should be back the day before the semi-finals. So, yeah, that's what we're hoping for. But obviously, we've got all contingencies covered if it doesn't happen like that," said Walter from Colombo as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

Walter revealed the options that New Zealand can choose if the Henry-less situation arises. The head coach stated that Jacob Duffy or Kyle Jamieson could come in instead, or even other pacers who are in the squad can be considered too.

"I mean, Jacob Duffy's been the one that missed out. He's been incredible for us over the last 18 months. So, it's tough enough leaving him out of the team, really. If it does work out that unfortunately Matt can't make it back, then absolutely (Duffy comes into contention). (We have) very capable people sitting on the bench, Kyle Jamieson (for example). So, we've got those bases covered, no doubt," added Walter.

New Zealand qualified for the semi-final after Pakistan failed to restrict Sri Lanka to 147 or less last Saturday. The BlackCaps found themselves in that situation courtesy their narrow loss to England in their final Super Eights match a day before and had to rely on the Lankans to do them a favour.

Walter said he only watched the first innings of the Sri Lanka vs Pakistan game and intermittently looked at the score in the second half. He admitted that he was nervous as there was fine line between going back home and going into the semi-final.

"If I'm honest, I only watched the first half, then I decided to read my book for the second half and just check in at a suitable time. So, fortunately, when I looked at my phone, it was 145 for 5 and I knew there was a good chance that they would score those next three runs. So pretty happy after that. Obviously, you're nervous because you know that it could all be over last evening and you're sort of heading back home and then in the same breath you're playing in a semi-final of a World Cup, which is an awesome achievement in itself," added Walter.