New Zealand will likely play this month’s second Test against Sri Lanka without seamer Matt Henry.

Henry played the last of his nine Tests in December 2017, but has been part of the squad since.

With first-choice seamers Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Neil Wagner performing well, Henry isn’t tipped to feature in the attack for the final Test of the two-match series.

‘Matt’s an integral part of our squad still, and sometimes opportunities are hard to come by,’ said coach Gary Stead.

‘But we’ve got a long summer ahead of us, and in terms of the forward planning that we’ve looked at throughout the summer, there are probably chances for people to come out and freshen up with a bigger view to the World Cup down the track. I still think Matt will get a good amount of cricket over the summer.’

Left-arm seamer Neil Wagner only managed two wickets, but conceded 175 runs in the second Test in Wellington, as centurions Kusal Mendis and Angelo Mathews capitalised.

‘Sri Lanka played Neil really well and it was probably some of the best batting I’ve seen against him in a while. I think everyone in world cricket knows the way he’s likely to bowl. I think Kusal and Angelo played him really well,’ he added.

‘They were gritty as well. They took a few on the body and I haven’t seen too many people do that. I don’t think on the fourth morning Neil was at his best, but in the afternoon sessions he bowled really well, but got little reward.’

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