THE impact with the ball of New Zealand ace Matt Henry has been praised Worcestershire director of cricket Steve Rhodes.

Henry has ended his spell in four-day cricket for Worcestershire with 27 Specsavers County Championship wickets from six games - the seventh highest tally in Division Two.

And Henry is expected to play his final game for Worcestershire in Friday’s NatWest T20 sell-out derby against Birmingham Bears at New Road (5.30pm).

He took eight wickets for just 88 runs as Worcestershire kept up their promotion push with a crushing 311-run victory at Northamptonshire.

Rhodes said: "Matt came into this game late.

"He wasn't going to play in this game but Kyle Abbott's foot swelled up.

"Once again we are grateful and would like to thank New Zealand Cricket for releasing him to play in this game.

"Matt has got one more T20 now before he leaves and he has been a very popular person in our dressing room. He is well liked by all the players and has been terrific.

"He has actually bowled well this year and not quite got the rewards so to get a five-for at the end is just reward. He probably should have got a couple of five-fors earlier and it just didn't work out for him."

Worcestershire are now just one point behind leaders Essex, who begin their four-day match against Gloucestershire at Cheltenham today.

Rhodes was delighted with the County’s triumph inside three days at Wantage Road.

Rhodes said: "Our approach and attitude was outstanding in the game and some of the ways we put the Northants fielders under pressure with our running between the wickets and some of the ground fielding and run-saving and attacking the ball and diving was testament to the character of quite a few of the lads and where they are in their careers.

"They are definitely guys that have got points to prove and want to play for each other.

"In the first innings from 50-5 there was good character from people in the late middle order, people like Ross Whiteley and Ben Cox and Joe Leach in getting the runs that we did.

"We do bat all the way down and we showed that in the second innings as well. Henry is averaging 45 in first-class cricket batting number 11 so they are good signs.

"We are very happy with that win. We dominated the game after being 50-5 and thoroughly deserved that win.

"I'm very proud of the guys and their efforts throughout the match have been tremendous.

"I still haven't looked at the table but we are in the race. I just think of the next game and will try to win that one and if you keep winning games, you've got a great chance."

Worcestershire are next in Championship action against Kent at Canterbury, starting on August 3.