FAST bowler Matt Henry is hoping wickets for Worcestershire will boost his international prospects with New Zealand.

The 24-year-old paceman is poised to make his Specsavers County Championship debut for Worcestershire against Gloucestershire in a four-day match at Bristol, starting tomorrow (11am).

Henry was frustrated by the wet weather when Worcestershire’s Division Two opener against Kent at New Road was abandoned without a ball bowled.

He said: “I am really lucky to have this opportunity and looking forward to getting started for Worcestershire.

“I think this is a perfect time to play some cricket and keep developing my game.”

Henry has played in four Tests, five T20Is and 25 ODIs for the Black Caps.

Canterbury-born Henry made his Test debut for New Zealand against England last summer and claimed Alastair Cook as his first scalp.

He said: “I really want to push for the New Zealand Test side and we’ve got a few Test tours coming up.

“I want to develop my game and give myself the best opportunity to be selected for those tours and that is why I came here to play some cricket.

“Making my Test debut last summer was a massive highlight.

“I have gone through some good patches and patches where I’ve struggled a little bit so I have had a good winter and I will keep working hard this summer.

“Test cricket is such a massive challenge and it’s something I haven’t had the successes I would have liked so far.”

Henry will be Worcestershire’s overseas player for the first half of the campaign before South African bowler Kyle Abbott takes over the role.

He previously toured England with New Zealand A and played club cricket for Essex club Halstead when he was 18. He returned to the UK the following summer to play for Horsham in Sussex.

“I have always known about county cricket in England because it’s a high standard with a lot overseas players and it’s a great way to keep playing cricket, learning and getting better,” he said.

“I had great times when I came over here with the clubs and I travelled the country with New Zealand A and played in Worcester and then again I came to New Road last year in a warm-up game before the Test series.

“I am really excited about the season ahead,” said Henry.

“I haven’t come here with individual targets. I am looking to try to do my best for the team and help them reach their goals.”