Henry bowled and fielded in the New Zealand training sessions on match eve, raising his team's hopes. While Santner didn't say anything at the toss, which he won and opted to bat first, it would appear that the team didn't want to risk Henry for the crunch contest.

Henry, the highest wicket-taker in the Champions Trophy leading up to the final with ten strikes, had hurt his shoulder while taking the catch to dismiss Heinrich Klaasen. He left the field but returned to bowl two overs late in the match. He was also seen diving in the field after he came back.

Mitchell Santner, the New Zealand captain, had been optimistic about Henry's availability soon after the match against South Africa, and Stead had also sounded a positive note, saying, "I guess the positive thing from our perspective is he got back out there to bowl."