With any concerns over Matt Henry eased, the Black Caps are poised to unleash their full-strength bowling attack in this week’s first test against England.

Henry, 34, had been under an injury cloud leading into the first test at Lord’s starting on Thursday, managing what the team described as a “low grade left hamstring strain”.

As a result, Henry - as well as Kyle Jamieson, Will O’Rourke and bowling coach Jacob Oram - did not take part in last week’s victory over Ireland, and left Belfast for London early to prepare to face England.

Speaking after arriving in England, though, coach Rob Walter outlined that there are no concerns over the leader of his attack.

“He’s all good,” he assured. “He bowled today while we were travelling, being in London already. All things point to being 100% fit and ready.”

That, then, leaves the Black Caps’ pace bowling stocks in frighteningly good health.

Worryingly for opposition batters, the pair of Jamieson and O’Rourke are likely to take the field for the first time in a test match together.

With both standing at well over six-feet tall, Jamieson and O’Rourke are able to combine their height with incredible skill, as well as bowling aggression that’s rarely seen in Kiwi cricketers.

Jamieson hasn’t played a test since February 2024, after a back injury sidelined him from red ball cricket for nearly two years. In the time he was away, O’Rourke more than took up Jamieson’s mantle, before suffering a back injury of his own, and missing all of the 2025-26 international summer.

But with both now having completed their recoveries and return-to-play programmes, the Black Caps will hope for both at their best over the next four weeks.

They’ll, in all likelihood, be joined by Nathan Smith as the fourth seamer. While the start to Smith’s international career hasn’t exactly been smooth sailing, with injuries suffered mid-test against Zimbabwe and the West Indies, the 27-year-old last week showed what he’s capable of.

Taking the new ball against Ireland, Smith returned figures of 6-40 in the first innings, and 2-53 in the second, as the Black Caps wrapped up victory inside three days at Stormont.

And while Blair Tickner also shone against Ireland, with a maiden five-wicket haul in the second innings, Smith’s batting gives him the tick to slot in at No 8 at Lord’s.

Nathan Smith appeals against Ireland. Photo / Photosport

“We’ve got every intention of having all our fast bowlers fit, firing and ready for the first test,” Walter continued. “We’re certainly not looking to manage anyone for game one.

“There’s no secrets for me in the fact that No 8 needs to be an allrounder who can bat. Nathan has been that guy prior to getting injured.

“If he’s fully fit and firing, he owns that spot for now.”

The only real absence, then, is Jacob Duffy - the reigning Sir Richard Hadlee medallist - who is missing the tour for the birth of his first child.

In the spinners’ ranks, the Black Caps have also welcomed back Mitchell Santner earlier than expected from a shoulder injury.

New Zealand’s white-ball captain returns to the squad at the expense of Dean Foxcroft, who scored 98 on debut last week, and will compete with Glenn Phillips for the No 7 spot.

Phillips is yet to travel to England, after being involved in the Gujarat Titans’ run in the Indian Premier League, where they finished runner-up to Duffy’s Royal Challengers Bangalore on Monday morning.

Ajaz Patel and Glenn Phillips leave the field during the third cricket Test between New Zealand and West Indies at Bay Oval in Mt Maunganui last December. Photo / Photosport

Based on incumbency, Phillips arguably has his nose in front, but will arrive at Lord’s having not played a red ball game since the Black Caps’ win over the West Indies at Bay Oval in December.

“He’s landing at 6am tomorrow morning, he’s already messaged me to say he’ll be at training, that’s typical GP - he’ll probably be bowling balls down the hallway of the plane,” Walter joked.

“He’ll be here, ready and straight into it, no doubt. There’s no injury issues or anything like that.

“He’s been training and been part of competitive cricket, we’ve got three full days’ lead into the first test. There’s no issues on my part.”

Black Caps predicted side for first England test: 1. Tom Latham (c), 2. Devon Conway, 3. Kane Williamson, 4. Rachin Ravindra, 5. Daryl Mitchell, 6. Tom Blundell (wk), 7. Glenn Phillips, 8. Nathan Smith, 9. Kyle Jamieson, 10. Matt Henry, 11. Will O’Rourke

Alex Powell is a sports journalist for the NZ Herald. He has been a sports journalist since 2016.