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[Watch] NZ Batter Henry Nicholls Caught In A Ball-Tampering Act During A Domestic Match

image-los3jp3lHenry Nicholls plays for Canterbury in Plunket Shield [X.com]

One of New Zealand's most trusted middle-order Test batters, Henry Nicholls has found himself in trouble following an allegedly ball-tampering charge during a Plunket Shield 2023-2024 match.

Playing for Canterbury against Auckland at Christchurch earlier this week, upon inspection, TV footage shows Nicholls brushing the ball against the helmet during a change of ends, just minutes before Tea-break on Day 3. 

The footage reveals that Nicholls scuffed the ball before the start of 32nd, 33rd, and 35th overs, respectively, during Auckland's second innings.

As per Stuff.NZ umpires have reported the player for breaking New Zealand Cricket's Code Of Conduct, and the matter has been referred to a commissioner for First-Class Cricket.  NZC confirmed the same in their statement, stating the player breached Rule 3.1. 

This law is connected with MCC's Law 41.3, where the rule "involves changing the condition of the ball'. Nicholls is yet to comment on the concerned matter, while no formal hearing date for the case has been announced yet.

Here's what NZC said

"Nicholls has been reported for allegedly breaching Rule 3.1, article 1.15 of the Code during Day 3 of the Plunket Shield match between Canterbury and Auckland at Hagley Oval."

Interestingly, Nicholls stared for Canterbury, scoring a mammoth 120 and then an unbeaten 30*, helping his side chase down 61, and notch only their first win of the season. The 31-year-old has been selected for Black Caps upcoming two-Test tour of Bangladesh.

Nicholls since 2015, has played 54 Tests, 72 ODIs, and 10 T20Is for New Zealand scoring 5,008 with 10 centuries and 26 half-centuries.