Henry Nicholls will bat first drop for New Zealand at The Oval this week, stepping into the spot vacated by Kane Williamson’s unexpected mid-series retirement. The 34-year-old left-hander has featured in just two Tests since the start of 2024 yet earned a recall on the back of prolific domestic form.
Nicholls’ season with Canterbury was hard to ignore: 870 Plunket Shield runs at an average a whisker under 100, most of them scored from either No. 3 or 4. Captain Tom Latham said that record left the selectors with a straightforward call.
“He’s someone that has a lot of international experience,” Latham said. “He’s been out of the squad for a couple of years now, but has certainly forced his way back into the squad through weight of runs at domestic level. It’s a really exciting opportunity for him to come back into the side in a role at No. 3 that he’s been doing for Canterbury back home.”
Although Nicholls has spent much of his Test career at No. 5, Latham believes the adjustment will be smooth enough. “For most of his career, he’s batted No. 4 or 5. But what he’s done for Canterbury over a long period of time, whenever he plays domestic cricket, he always tends to bat No. 3 or 4 as well. I think the good thing with Henry is he’s always been able to adapt to situations… This is a really exciting opportunity for him to do something new in Test cricket.”
Will Young, who filled the role during New Zealand’s famous win in India in 2024, was the other option, yet he arrived in London only at the weekend and is light on recent runs. The remainder of the batting order—Devon Conway, Latham himself, and Daryl Mitchell—stays unchanged for the second Test.
Williamson’s retirement still dominates conversation. The 35-year-old had already trimmed his international schedule, but deciding to walk away entirely after the Lord’s defeat surprised many outside the camp.
“It’s been a bit of a process over a period of time,” Latham said. “We’ve seen over his 16-year career, every time he’s pulled the shirt on or he’s been to training, he’s given 100 percent and he’s demonstrated the qualities that this team has, and he’s done that for such a long period of time.”
Latham continued: “For him to acknowledge that he’s not quite right, or he can’t necessarily give that 100 percent, is testament to the player he is, but also the person he is as well, that he’s going to give someone else an opportunity to do that… We’re obviously gutted not to have him, but we also acknowledge what he’s done over his career.”
The skipper said Williamson informed team-mates privately. “He told the guys a few days after that Test and it was an emotional time… I’m sure guys will reflect [how lucky they are] to have had the opportunity to play with him. I’m certainly like that – [I’ve been] fortunate enough to play most of my career with Kane. What he’s given to this group, what he’s given to individuals, that legacy will certainly live on.”
From a tactical angle, Nicholls offers a patient technique and solid defensive game—useful traits against fresh Dukes balls in often overcast south-London conditions. But even a mountain of domestic runs cannot hide the fact that Williamson’s 8,135 Test runs and serenity at the crease will be missed.
England, 1-0 up in the three-match series, are expected to stick with the same attack headed by James Anderson. Forecasts point to the odd shower and a bit of cloud cover, so both camps are preparing for another swing-friendly contest.
First ball is at 11 am on Wednesday. New Zealand need a win to keep the series alive; Nicholls, meanwhile, has the chance to turn domestic dominance into a statement innings on the game’s biggest stage.
