Henry Nicholls Shines with Back-to-Back Centuries in Plunket Shield

In a striking display of form, New Zealand cricketer Henry Nicholls scored consecutive centuries for Canterbury against Otago in the Plunket Shield. His remarkable performance comes as he faces exclusion from the national side for the first test against the West Indies, starting March 15, 2024, in his hometown of Christchurch.

At 34 years old, Nicholls continues to showcase his talent, having made an unbeaten 109 runs from just 119 balls on day three in Dunedin. This follows his earlier contribution of 111 runs in Canterbury’s first innings, reinforcing his standing as a formidable red-ball batter. Despite his impressive statistics, Nicholls was left out of the squad primarily due to the return of Tom Latham and Kane Williamson, who missed the previous series.

Glenn Phillips Falls Short of Century

Further adding to the narrative, Glenn Phillips of Otago narrowly missed out on his century, scoring 94 runs before being dismissed by Black Caps leg-spinner Ish Sodhi. Phillips showed his capability with six sixes and five fours, positioning himself as a potential candidate for selection in the second test. His performance comes after a lengthy recovery from a groin injury, which sidelined him for an extended period.

On the same day, in Mt Maunganui, Phillips’ brother Dale Phillips celebrated his first-class milestone with a score of 107 runs for Auckland, helping his team set a formidable target of 510 runs against Northern Districts. Auckland’s innings featured a solid contribution from Harrish Kannan, who added 78 runs, and Bevon Jacobs, with 66 runs. Northern Districts finished the day at 99 runs without loss.

Strong Performances Across the Shield

In Wellington, the Firebirds declared their innings at 354-9, with Gareth Severin achieving his fourth first-class century, scoring 104 runs. His efforts were complemented by seamer Blair Tickner, who took 4 wickets for 68 runs, boosting his chances for a spot in the national squad.

The ongoing Plunket Shield season has already seen remarkable performances, including the earlier achievements of brothers Jack and Matt Boyle, who also made centuries for their respective teams. With the series against the West Indies on the horizon, players are keen to impress selectors and secure their positions.

As the competition unfolds, Nicholls’ consistent scoring and the emerging talents like Phillips and Severin highlight the depth of cricketing skill in New Zealand, setting the stage for an exciting series ahead.