New Zealand Test cricketer Henry Nicholls is reportedly accused of ball-tampering during day 3 of the Plunkett Shield match between Auckland and Canterbury. New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has acknowledged the allegations and will conduct an investigation.
Video footage allegedly shows Nicholls shining the ball with his sleeve and making contact with the helmet in his hand multiple times between overs. NZC has issued an official statement on the matter.
“Nicholls has been reported for allegedly breaching Rule 3.1, article 1.15 of the Code during Day 3 of the Plunket Shield match between Canterbury and Auckland at Hagley Oval.”
“Rule 3.1, article 1.15 involves changing the condition of the ball in breach of Law 41.3 of the Laws of Cricket. As a Level 2 matter, the allegation will be referred to, and heard by an NZC First Class Commissioner.”
Playing for Canterbury, the southpaw scored 120 against Auckland, adding to his innings of 123 and 61 against Otago. Currently, the 31-year-old is the leading run-scorer in the 2023-24 Plunkett Shield, amassing 335 runs in four innings at an average of 111.66.
Henry Nicholls has been named in the Test squad for the Bangladesh tour
New Zealand cricketer Henry Nicholls is under investigation for alleged ball-tampering during a Plunkett Shield fixture, while still being the top run-scorer in the ongoing season. He is also included in the Test squad for the Bangladesh tour starting on November 28.
The Test squad for New Zealand’s tour of Bangladesh:
Tom Southee (capt), Tom Blundell (wk), Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Kane Williamson, Will Young.
The player from Christchurch has been doing well in Test cricket, with an average of 38.78 in 54 matches and nine centuries. New Zealand wants to improve its chances in the upcoming World Test Championship after missing out last time.
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