WORCESTERSHIRE have recruited in-form New Zealand paceman Matt Henry as their overseas player for the first half of the 2016 campaign.

Henry, who turned 24 last month, will link up with the County from early April until the end of June subject to a No Objection Certificate from New Zealand Cricket.

He took 13 wickets in three innings for his nation in the 3-1 win over Sri Lanka in the one-day international series completed this week.

County director of cricket Steve Rhodes believes Henry will be a “huge asset” to the club.

He will be the main overseas player until South African paceman Kyle Abbott takes over during the second half of the season from early July to late September.

The New Zealander made his Test debut against England at Lord’s last May, with England skipper Alastair Cook his maiden victim.

Henry also dismissed Joe Root and Ian Bell as he finished with 4-93 in the first innings. In the second, Henry removed Root and Jos Buttler in his 2-106 return.

The right-armer has featured for the Black Caps in all formats and played in the 2015 World Cup final.

Henry, who represents his native Canterbury in first-class cricket, was New Zealand’s most economical bowler in the semi-final win over South Africa and then claimed two of the three Australian wickets to fall in the final.

He then impressed Rhodes when helping his country to a 15-run win over Worcestershire at New Road in May last year, returning 2-71 in the first innings and 3-58 in the second.

The 2015-2016 ODI series against Sri Lanka brought him figures of 4-49 and 4-33 in Christchurch and 5-40 in Mount Maunganui.

Rhodes said: “Matt is a fine young bowler who has represented New Zealand in all formats. He also was trusted with both a World Cup semi-final and a final spot and his bowling early season will be a huge asset to the club.

“I am delighted he will lead our attack and join our current crop of terrific young seam bowlers.”

Henry, who will play county cricket for the first time, said: “Worcestershire have strong links with New Zealand, going back to when Glenn Turner played for them for many seasons and more recently with Colin Munro and Mitchell McClenaghan. I am looking forward to playing for them.

“They showed their quality in the tour game when pushing New Zealand all the way last summer and clearly have an exciting crop of young players who came so close to staying in Division One of the County Championship.

“I hope I can play my part in getting them off to a good start in trying to regain that Division One spot, as well as having another successful run in the T20 Blast, and experiencing county cricket will be good for my all-round development as a player.”

Henry has also made 20 ODI and three T20 appearances for his country.

He has taken 100 first-class wickets in 26 matches with five five-wicket hauls.