Nicholls answers NZ call with composed hundred on return

Henry Nicholls 119 Unbeaten century off 120 balls to put NZ in complete command. Partnership: Added 161 off 201 balls with Rachin Ravindra (76) for the 3rd wicket – NZ’s highest ever at The Oval. Timing: Came in at 28-2 after Latham and Conway fell cheaply. Steadied, rebuilt, then flayed England after tea. Milestone: Brought up his 11th Test century by smashing a Bethell long hop for four.

Nicholls was the leading run-scorer in the 2025-26 Plunket Shield season, making 870 runs at an average of 96.66 across 11 innings. He had shown a glimpse of his form when picked for an off-Broadway tour to Zimbabwe last year, scoring 150 not out in an innings win in the second Test, and made England's inexperienced seam attack pay on a baking-hot south London day.

"Being out of the team for a bit and playing domestically, [I've been] really just trying to enjoy my cricket," Nicholls told Sky Sports. "I certainly, in the last couple of years, feel like I've actually been playing my best cricket. For me as well, having played a significant number of Tests [58, before this one] knew what it takes at this level.

"I guess I had the confidence coming in here to believe in myself. I've done it before, but to come out here today and do it and contribute in this innings [is pleasing]... It's obviously a great day personally, but from the team perspective, to bowl them out with the lead and then to be where we are now was exactly what we wanted at the start of the day."

Early heat: Jofra Archer hit 90mph+ and removed Latham for 4. Conway fell to Tongue for 11.Ravindra’s luck: Dropped on 7 by debutant keeper James Rew, then made 76 before lbw to part-time spinner Jacob Bethell. Nicholls’ control: Took full advantage of flat track and sunshine, unbeaten 119 with Daryl Mitchell 32 at stumps.

"In the second innings, I just wanted to try to replicate that, and you want to contribute, and you want to do all of these things. But it was just building a partnership with Rachin [Ravindra] and even Daz [Daryl Mitchell] at the end there."

New Zealand had stretched their lead to 352 overnight with seven second-innings wickets in hand, having earlier bowled England out for just 291. Henry said that he was particularly pleased to have contributed after back spasms limited his effectiveness in the first Test at Lord's, and highlighted the role that Tom Blundell had played by coming up to the stumps.

Bottom line: Filling in for Kane Williamson, Henry Nicholls delivered a masterful, composed 119* to take NZ to 352 ahead. With 7 wickets left and time to push for 500, NZ are clear favourites to level the series 1-1.