Another Henry Nicholls’ ton keeps heat on Black Caps test incumbents

Wednesday, 26 November 2025

Black Caps star Kane Williamson has announced his retirement from Twenty20 international cricket.

Henry Nicholls won’t be playing in the first test for the Black Caps at his home ground next week.

But the Canterbury batter continues to apply the heat on the incumbents with his form this season.

In his first Plunket Shield appearance of the summer, Nicholls made 111 as the visitors reached 356-7 batting first on day one against Otago in Dunedin on Wednesday.

The veteran left-hander, coming in at No.4, struck 14 fours and a six in his 157-ball innings at the University of Otago Oval.

It was the third century of the 2025/25 domestic season for Nicholls, who made two tons in the first half of the Ford Trophy one-day competition, while averaging 76.50.

That helped him gain a call-up to the Black Caps ODI squad against the West Indies, after Daryl Mitchell suffered a groin injury, but he wasn’t used in the remaining two matches.

Henry Nicholls celebrates his century for Canterbury versus Otago on day one of Round Two of the Plunket Shield at University of Otago Oval, Dunedin.

Nicholls gained a test recall in August when Tom Latham, Kane Williamson and Glenn Phillips were unavailable for selection against Zimbabwe, and made scores of 34, 4 not out and 150 not out.

However, with Latham and Williamson back in the fold for the three-game series against the West Indies, he’s had to cool his heels again.

Nicholls, 34, has played 58 tests for New Zealand, amassing 3161 runs at an average of 39.02, and his 10 tons put him eighth on the list of the country’s most prolific test century-makers.

Latham prepared for the first test with 52 from 91 deliveries opening the innings, while Glenn Phillips bowled 20 overs of off-spin and took 2-65 as he pushes towards full fitness and a possible test place after recovering from a groin injury.

In Wellington, rain denied Black Caps white-ball international Tim Robinson a century.

When stumps were called early against Central Districts at the Basin Reserve, Robinson was unbeaten on 94, with the home team recovering from 19-3 to reach 196 for three.

Robinson had faced 111 balls at No.5, hitting 11 fours and a six as he and Gareth Severin (60no from 153 deliveries) fought back for the hosts, who were without test squad member Michael Bracewell due to illness.

In Mount Maunganui, Black Caps fans were forced to wait another day to see whether Kane Williamson could pursue his first Plunket Shield century in 13 seasons.

Northern Districts captain Jeet Raval won the toss and put Auckland into bat on a steamy morning, and seamer Kristian Clarke took the first three wickets before lunch.

But Ryan Harrison (53 not out) and Adi Ashok (38no) put on an unbeaten 97 for the ninth wicket to frustrate the hosts.

Meanwhile, the West Indies top-order batters were among the runs on day one of their two-day encounter against a New Zealand XI.

Facing a limited bowling attack, openers Tagenarine Chanderpaul (85 retired out from 211 balls) and John Campbell (68 from 98 balls) put on 130 for the first wicket as they made 346-5, with Brandon King adding 79 from 91 deliveries at No.3.

Plunket Shield Rd 2

At Dunedin: Canterbury 356-7 (Henry Nicholls 111, Tom Latham 52, Mitch Hay 42, Ish Sodhi 41no) vs Otago.

At Wellington: Wellington 196-3 (Tim Robinson 94no, Gareth Severin 60no) vs Central Districts.

At Mt Maunganui: Auckland 302-8 (Ryan Harrison 53no, Dale Phillips 40, Adi Ashok 38no, Lachie Stackpole 36; Kristian Clarke 3-52) vs Northern Districts.