New Zealand Star On Replacing Kane Williamson After Unbeaten Hundred: 'Wasn't Ever Going To Be Able To...'

Henry Nicholls marked his return to New Zealand’s Test side in style with an unbeaten hundred as the visitors tightened their grip on the second Test against England at The Oval on Friday. Recalled following Kane Williamson’s retirement after the first Test, Nicholls produced a composed innings to help New Zealand build a commanding lead of 352 runs by stumps on day three.

After dismissing England for 291 and securing a first-innings advantage of 100 runs, New Zealand suffered early setbacks when Tom Latham and Devon Conway departed cheaply. However, Nicholls and Rachin Ravindra steadied the innings magnificently, sharing a crucial 161-run partnership that shifted the match firmly in the tourists’ favour.

By the close of play, New Zealand had

reached 252/3in their second innings. Nicholls remained unbeaten on 119, while Daryl Mitchell provided solid support with an unbeaten 32. Ravindra narrowly missed out on a century after scoring a fluent 76 before being trapped lbw by Jacob Bethell.

‘Just Really Enjoyed Being Back’

Reflecting on the day’s performance, Nicholls admitted he never viewed his return as a chance to fill Williamson’s shoes.

“It’s obviously a great day. To bowl them out with a lead and get where we are now is what we wanted,” the 34-year-old Nicholls, recalled to the side after New Zealand great Kane Williamson retired after the first Test, said.

“I wasn’t ever going to be able to replace (Williamson). I just really enjoyed being back in Test cricket, you want to contribute. It was fun, the partnership with Rachin and with Daryl at the end there.”

Earlier, England resumed on 226/6 but lost Jordan Cox, Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue in quick succession as Matthew Henry completed a five-wicket haul. A fighting half-century from Matthew Fisher, supported by Sonny Baker, delayed New Zealand’s progress, but England’s resistance eventually faded.

Archer briefly sparked hopes of a comeback with a fiery opening spell that removed Latham, while Tongue dismissed Conway to leave New Zealand wobbling at 28/2. Yet England failed to capitalise. Ravindra survived an early chance before punishing the hosts, and Nicholls steadily took control.

His 11th Test century came in emphatic fashion, driving a loose Bethell delivery to the boundary, capping a dominant day that left New Zealand in a powerful position to level the three-match series.

(With inputs from Agencies)