Aotearoa isn't exactly short of seam bowlers putting pressure on the Blackcaps incumbents and one bloke leads the pack, especially after Matt Henry tore through County cricket over the winter. Henry has been on the Blackcaps cusp for a few years now, constantly providing reason to give him a decent crack but never able to oust the settled Test attack and enduring an inconsistent opportunities in the ODI team.

With an ODI bowling average of 24.59, Henry has always been front and centre of the public's mind. It only takes a quick squizz at Cricinfo to suss out Henry's credentials and boom, now you're on the wagon of wanting Henry to be a regular feature for the Blackcaps, specifically in coloured clothing. Having made his debut way back in 2014, Henry has racked up 35 ODIs but was only able to play three games last summer and that, combined with a Test appearance results in Henry playing four cricket games for Aotearoa last summer.

Matt Henry took four wickets in his debut as New Zealand's beat India by 87 runs in the fifth and final one-dayer in Wellington. The Canterbury quick was the sixth bowler used during the series, while Neil Wagner and Trent Boult will come into the side for the two match test series.

That doesn't feel like enough, although it is the definition of being on the cusp. Henry has worked himself to a point where he is the next in line for the Test bowling attack and in the mix for a starting ODI gig, both of which are pretty good spots to be in. Henry is the one putting the most pressure on Tim Southee to perform at Test level and if there is an injury to Southee, Neil Wagner or Trent Boult then Henry's up. In ODI cricket, there is a World Cup coming and Henry just took 75 County wickets @ 15.48avg, in the country where the World Cup is going to be held.

What I'm curious about, is whether Henry can bust down the selection door this summer in conjunction with his former Canterbury coach Gary Stead getting the Blackcaps gig. This appears to be fairly simple given that Henry has a fine record of snapping up Blackcaps opportunities when they come his way; Henry has taken 2+ wickets in 6 of his 9 Test matches and well, an average of 24.59 kinda speaks for itself in ODI cricket.

As Henry is coming into Blackcaps season hot off of County dominance, Henry is easily the most interesting bowler with regards to the Blackcaps this summer. There are a few layers of nuance in this yarn though and while Henry has been the next in line Blackcaps seamer, there is a group of bowlers in the same category as Henry as well as a young brigade who are crowding the fringe-Blackcaps bowling stable.

Having an ODI average in the mid-20s is one thing, splitting that between a 17.41avg in Aotearoa and 47.20avg on foreign soil is a wee bit different though. Henry's legendary ODI average can also be dissected by year as he averaged 15.26 in 2014, then 32.70, 27.72 and 27.80 in the next three years - he has only played a lone ODI in 2018 with 4w @ 13.25avg.

That essentially boils down to Henry being amazing in Aotearoa and alright overseas, along with hitting a solid plateau after his debut year in international cricket. I interpret those numbers to mean that Henry is definitely worthy of his spot as next up, however Henry still needs to command selection and isn't the concrete automatic next up selection many assumed he was.

The New Zealand paceman castles Gloucestershire opener Chris Dent

To further confuse matters, Henry has taken 13w in 4 ODIs @ 16.30 in United Arab Emirates. Those numbers match his work in Aotearoa and between Aotearoa 'A' and Blackcaps stuff; kiwi cricket is all up in UAE at the moment. This sets the scene for Henry to command further ODI opportunities, although when we consider that Henry averages 50.20 in England - where the World Cup is - Henry will need to show progress, development this summer.

Henry came back into Plunket Shield and was solid over 3inns; 8w @ 32.12avg/3.53rpo. He will likely lace up for a few Ford Trophy games and this will offer a nice glimpse into where he is at, which could be crucial given the bowlers who will also be playing Ford Trophy or 'A' cricket vs Pakistan 'A'.

The group chasing Henry has fairly similar over the past 18 months, yet now there are a few younger lads climbing the ranks as well. Seth Rance, Adam Milne, Lockie Ferguson, Doug Bracewell and Ben Wheeler have all been in the mix recently, now they are joined by the likes of Scott Kuggeleijn, Kyle Jamieson, Logan van Beek and Blair Tickner. You could throw other names in there, depending on your personal bias and what not but the point here is that there are options; options for right now and options for the future.

All those options come into the equation when the Blackcaps return to Aotearoa and they settle back into the seam-heavy bowling rotation. In UAE though, Henry won't just struggle to get a run in the Test group ahead of Southee, Wagner, Boult or even Colin de Grandhomme, one of those seamers could be in danger of losing their spot to a spinner. If the incumbent seamers are in danger, then Henry slides down the pecking order.

Wagner isn't in the ODI squad, opening a spot up for Henry. Without Henry, the Blackcaps would still have decent bowling options for those conditions in Southee, Boult, de Grandhomme, Sodhi, Astle and Colin Munro. Then two more players will be added to the squad, one of which will probably be a bowler and they will sit behind Henry in the line.

A tour to UAE is a nice next step for Henry after his County excursion, but I've got the return to Aotearoa marked down as the main dish in observing Henry. This is about whether Henry can blast through this ceiling that has been built above him, to demand consistent selection in the ODI team and increase the pressure on the Test unit.

This isn't a simple equation and we only need to note how Henry's stats can be twisted, to see one aspect of this puzzle. The performances of those above and below Henry in the bowling Stable rankings will be crucial, then obviously Henry's own performances lead the way as a variable. All the confusion around Henry and the Blackcaps, his in and out selections etc has never come with a monumental County campaign lurking in the background though.

With that in mind, Henry appears to be in the best position he's ever been in ahead of Blackcaps season. Everything is lined up nicely for Henry as he links up with his former coach, now at the Blackcaps level and he is heading to UAE where he's got a strong record. What Henry does with this alignment, especially with the World Cup on the horizon could define his Blackcaps career.

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Peace and love 27.