Moisés Constantino Henriques, born on 1st February 1987, is a name synonymous with Australian cricket. An international cricketer with versatility and flair, Henriques has made significant contributions to the sport, representing Australia, New South Wales, and the Sydney Sixers.
A Remarkable Under-19s Journey
Henriques’ cricket journey began at a young age. At just 16 years old, he was selected for the Australian U-19 cricket team to participate in the 2004 U-19 Cricket World Cup in Bangladesh. His performance was impressive, taking 11 wickets at an average of 19.27 and scoring 95 runs at 19.00 during the tournament.
His exceptional talent shone during a challenging One Day series against the Indian U-19 cricket team in India in September 2005. Despite Australia’s series loss, Henriques stood out with his contributions, scoring 132 runs at an average of 44.00 and claiming 8 wickets at 18.25 under demanding conditions.
In a significant moment, Henriques was named captain of the Australian U-19 team for the 2006 U-19 Cricket World Cup in Sri Lanka. His leadership and performance led the team to a semi-final berth. Henriques was the standout player of the tournament, scoring 150 runs at 37.50 and finishing as the leading wicket-taker with 16 wickets at an astonishing average of 10.52 in 5 matches.
During his time with the Australian U-19 team, Henriques played 17 matches, taking 35 wickets at an impressive average of 15.08 and scored 377 runs at an average of 31.41. Notably, he shares the record for the highest number of wickets in Under-19 Cricket World Cup history with 27 scalps.
Excelling in Domestic Cricket
Henriques made his mark in domestic cricket in Australia, starting his journey with a List A debut for New South Wales against Victoria on 2nd January 2006. His debut, at the young age of 18, made him the youngest List A debutant for New South Wales. Henriques’ promising start hinted at a bright future in the sport.
His first-class debut for New South Wales followed soon, with a memorable performance against South Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground on 17th October 2006. Within a week of this match, he showcased his bowling prowess by taking 5/17 against Queensland, becoming the youngest New South Wales cricketer to achieve this feat in over a year.
Henriques’ cricketing journey included a stint in the Indian Premier League (IPL), representing franchises such as Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Daredevils. In the 2012 season, he made a significant impact by scoring his first first-class century, an impressive 161 not out against Tasmania at Bankstown.
His List A performances have been consistently impressive, with a notable achievement of scoring 131 against Victoria, marking his first List A century. Moisés Henriques also took on the captaincy role for New South Wales.
T20 Franchise Career
Henriques’ T20 career included spells with various IPL franchises. He started with the Kolkata Knight Riders, later moving to the Delhi Daredevils. His journey continued with stints at the Sunrisers Hyderabad and the Kings XI Punjab. Despite facing injuries during his IPL career, Henriques remained a valuable asset for his teams.
In addition to his IPL endeavors, he was selected to play for the Glasgow Giants in the inaugural edition of the Euro T20 Slam cricket tournament. However, the tournament was canceled soon after.
Henriques’ Big Bash League (BBL) career was marked by captaining the Sydney Sixers to consecutive title victories in the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons. He also played a vital role in the inaugural BBL final in the 2011-12 season.
International Glory
Moisés Henriques made his international debut for Australia in a Twenty20 International against New Zealand in Sydney on 15th February 2009. His journey in international cricket had its ups and downs, but he continued to strive for excellence.
In 2013, Henriques was selected in Australia’s Test cricket team during a tour of India. He made his Test debut and scored his maiden half-century, cementing his presence on the international stage. After a gap of three years, he returned to the national side for Australia’s series against India in 2020.
A Remarkable Life Journey
Beyond cricket, Henriques has an inspiring life story. Born in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal, he moved to Australia with his family at the age of one. He graduated from Endeavour Sports High School in 2004, and his cricketing journey began early, representing New South Wales and Australia at the Under-17 and Under-19 levels.
In 2018, Moisés Henriques courageously revealed that he was battling depression, leading to his decision to step down as the captain of New South Wales. His openness about mental health was a significant step forward in addressing the issue in professional sports.
A True All-Rounder
Moisés Henriques is a genuine all-rounder, and he believes he “couldn’t choose” between batting and bowling. With his right-handed batting style, he often plays in the middle to lower order, while his right-arm medium-fast bowling skills make him a versatile asset to any team.
He draws inspiration from legendary cricketers like Shane Watson and Jacques Kallis. Henriques’ playing style is often compared to these greats, reflecting his commitment to being an impactful all-rounder.
Moisés Henriques’ journey in cricket exemplifies resilience, versatility, and dedication. His contributions to the sport and his openness about mental health have made him not just a cricketer but a role model for aspiring athletes.
As he continues to excel in domestic and international cricket, fans eagerly anticipate his future achievements. Moisés Henriques is undoubtedly an Australian cricket sensation, and his legacy in the sport continues to grow.
