Nicholls under pressure to perform
It wasn’t exactly barbecue weather in Christchurch for a Black Caps’ fan event yesterday, though for Henry Nicholls the intention was always to dine out from tomorrow lunchtime.
Nicholls was back in familiar territory at Hagley Oval, venue of the second and final test against Bangladesh, and he also faced a similar predicament as his place in the team as a specialist middle order batsman is again under scrutiny.
The 25-year-old, who made an encouraging maiden test fifty on debut against Australia in Wellington a year ago, was cut from the ODI side to play the Bangladeshis when Neil Broom was coaxed back from Derbyshire to play the three-match series over Christmas/New Year.
Broom led the Black Caps run scorers thanks to his maiden century in that format but a finger injury in the opening T20 game on January 3 put any test debut on hold - eight years after he first represented the Black Caps in a ODI against the West Indies.
But with Broom on the mend and Colin Munro also keen to add to his solitary test cap, a substantial score would undoubtedly be welcome for Nicholls with the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy and a visit from South Africa next on the agenda.
Nicholls might have been in the middle when the Black Caps made the 217 required to beat the depleted Bangladeshis on Monday.
However, that satisfaction was tempered by the fact the left hander never looked particularly fluent when making 53 in the first innings.
Anxious to impress, he batted three hours and faced 135 deliveries, though he won’t remember his last fondly - a flick to the leg side trap set for Shakib al Hasan.
Ironically, from a crowd perspective, he was applauded primarily for blocking in his second dig so Kane Williamson could make an unbeaten 104.
Heading into his 11th test, Nicholls only averages 26.57 with three half centuries from 16 innings and a top score of 76, the highlight of a comprehensive loss to the Proteas at Centurion last August.
‘‘There’s always going to be pressure when you’re playing international cricket,’’ he said. ’’There’s always guys knocking on the door. I just try to focus on contributing on my role in the team.’’
Meanwhile, Bangladesh skipper and wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim is still considered a 50:50 chance of recovering from a hand injury suffered while compiling a superb 159 in Bangladesh’s record first innings.
Fortunately the mild concussion inflicted by a Tim Southee short ball is no longer a concern.
Opener Imrul Kayes is in serious doubt after he strained a thigh muscle while batting in Bangladesh’s second innings - he returned to bat in a forlorn bid to occupy the crease but his mobility was limited.