![\"Henry](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/4LCCYDT_230310NZvSriLankaD2_057_jpg.jpeg\")
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\nHenry Nicholls of the Black Caps
\nPhoto: \u00a9 Photosport Ltd 2023 www.photosport.nz\n<\/p>\n
The Black Caps have recalled Henry Nicholls to bat at number three following Kane Williamson’s retirement from international cricket<\/a>, captain Tom Latham said on Tuesday a day before the start of the second test against England at the Oval.<\/p>\n Williamson departed as New Zealand’s most prolific run-scorer at the age of 35, having accumulated more than 19,000 international runs and anchoring the team through its most successful era across all formats.<\/p>\n “It’s a really exciting opportunity for him to come back into the side in a role, at three, that he’s been doing for Canterbury at home,” Latham said.<\/p>\n “I think the good thing with Henry is he’s always been able to adapt to situations. He’s pretty much batted from the top to the middle throughout his international career, and he’ll do whatever is required for the team.”<\/p>\n Nicholls, 34, last featured in tests against Zimbabwe last year and has 58 caps with a batting average of 39 and 10 centuries.<\/p>\n He now faces the task of filling the slot at number three after England took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series with a 115-run victory inside four days at Lord’s<\/a>.<\/p>\n New Zealand are likely to go into the test with a similar line-up as long as pace bowler Matt Henry has fully recovered from the back spasms he suffered in the opening game.<\/p>\n England will field three debutants and make five changes for their second test with wicketkeeper James Rew replacing Jamie Smith who has gone on paternity leave.<\/p>\n Rew will make his test debut alongside batter Jordan Cox and pace bowler Sonny Baker.<\/p>\n