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Nicholls returns for New Zealand after Williamson retirement

  • Williamson departed ​as New Zealand's most prolific run-scorer ​at the age of 35
Published June 17, 2026 Updated June 17, 2026 07:57am
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New Zealand have recalled Henry Nicholls to bat at number three following Kane Williamson’s retirement ​from international cricket, captain Tom Latham said ‌on Tuesday a day before the start of the second test against England at the Oval.

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.

“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 told reporters.

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“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.”

Nicholls, 34, last featured in tests against Zimbabwe ​last year and has 58 caps. ​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.