New Zealand batsman Henry Nicholls accused of ball tampering; NZC set to take action

Henry Nicholls will join the Blackcaps squad later this month for a 2-match Test series in Bangladesh.

New Zealand batter Henry Nicholls has been accused of ball-tampering in a Plunket Shield game. Henry Nicholls is not in the New Zealand World Cup squad and he is currently playing in the New Zealand’s domestic first-class tournament Plunket Shield for Canterbury. Henry has been accused of ball-tampering in the game against Auckland played at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch. 

With a ball-tampering charge, New Zealand batter has also been accused of New Zealand Cricket’s code of conduct. Nicholls was caught on TV running helmet edge on the ball to make it ready for reverse swing. Nicholls was first using the old method of rubbing the ball in thighs but soon he was caught using the helmet to scratch the ball. In the meanwhile players were changing their ends and Umpires were also settling in. 

NZC releases statement on the issue

New Zealand cricket has released a statement on the issue and said, “Nicholls has been reported for allegedly breaching the rule 3.1 article 1.15 of the code during Day 3 of the Plunket Shield match between Caterbury and Auckland at Hagley Oval.” Changing the condition of the ball in an unethical manner has been deemed as foul play in any form of cricket and players are given strict punishment if found guilty for ball-tampering. 

According to New Zealand media, the report has been referred to the commissioner for first class cricket and no date has been set for the hearing so far. Nicholls will be asked to explain on the issue before he flies to Bangladesh for the test series and joins the Blackcaps’ red-ball side. Henry Nicholls has not yet commented on the matter and he is looking to explain himself in front of the commissioner for first class cricket. 

The New Zealand batter looked in red-hot form in the Plunket Shield tournament and scored two consecutive hundreds in two games. Nicholls scored 124 runs against Otago at Hagley Oval and then went on to score 120 runs against Auckland. Henry Nicholls has been named in the New Zealand test squad touring Bangladesh after the World Cup 2023. New Zealand will be playing a 2-match test series against Bangladesh. 

For more updates, follow Khel Now Cricket on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.