Henry Nicholls’ brilliant century (Photo-GETTY IMAGES)
England vs New Zealand, 2nd Test: New Zealand batsman Henry Nicholls scored a brilliant century on the third day of the Oval Test. In the second innings, this player completed his century in just 136 balls. Nicholls got a chance again in the Test team after the retirement of Kane Williamson and he made full use of this opportunity. Nicholls faced the fast bowlers of England fiercely in the second innings of the Oval Test. He was seen playing a little different from his game and took a very aggressive approach and completed his century.
Why is a century special for Henry Nicholls?
This century is very special for Henry Nicholls. This left-handed batsman has scored a Test century for the first time on the soil of England. Nicholls has scored 11 centuries in Tests, out of which he has scored 8 in New Zealand. Nicholls has scored one century in Zimbabwe, one in UAE and one in England. Nicholls was dropped from the New Zealand Test team due to poor performance but Kane Williamson announced his retirement after the Lord’s Test and in such a situation Nicholls got a chance in the Test team again.
Henry Nicholls-Rachin Ravindra ‘made England cry’
New Zealand did not have a good start in the second innings. Captain Tom Latham returned to the pavilion after scoring only 4 runs. Conway also scored only 11 runs. But after this, Henry Nicholls along with Rachin Ravindra put a peg on the crease. Both the players made a partnership of 161 runs in 201 balls for the third wicket. Rachin Ravindra completed his half-century in 79 balls while Henry Nicholls completed his half-century in 72 balls. Although Rachin Ravindra was out LBW on the ball of Jacob Bethal after scoring 76 runs, Nicholls remained at the crease and completed his century. By the end of the third day’s play, Nicholls had made a partnership of 63 runs with Darrell Mitchell. On the third day, New Zealand scored 252 runs for 3 wickets and now it has a lead of 352 runs over England.
Matt Henry also wreaked havoc
Earlier, England was all out for 291 runs in the first innings, giving New Zealand a lead of 100 runs. Matt Henry single-handedly eliminated half the England team. Matt Henry took five wickets for 80 runs. He took his team ahead in the match by dismissing batsmen like Joe Root and Harry Brook. Now the New Zealand team has tightened its grip on England. Now it remains to be seen what answer the team led by Joe Root gives.
