New Zealand batter Henry Nicholls allegedly involved in ball-tampering during Plunkett Shield fixture

New Zealand Test cricketer Henry Nicholls was allegedly involved in ball tampering during day 3 of the Plunkett Shield fixture between Auckland and Canterbury. New Zealand Cricket (NZC) have acknowledged the accusations of ball-tampering and are set to investigate the matter.

According to media reports, footage has emerged of the middle-order batter shining the ball with his sleeve before allegedly making contact with the helmet in his hand. This reportedly happened thrice between overs.

NZC has issued an official statement as below:

"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.

"Rule 3.1, article 1.15 involves changing the condition of the ball in breach of Law 41.3 of the Laws of Cricket. As a Level 2 matter, the allegation will be referred to, and heard by an NZC First Class Commissioner."

Plying his trade for Canterbury, the left-handed batter made 120 against Auckland, following his innings of 123 and 61 against Otago. Nicholls is currently the highest run-getter in the 2023-24 Plunkett Shield, accumulating 335 runs in four innings at 111.66.

Henry Nicholls included in the Test squad for the Bangladesh tour

The 31-year-old is set to tour Bangladesh for the two-Test series, starting on November 28 in Sylhet. Nicholls ended his brief slump in Test cricket with an unbeaten 200 against Sri Lanka in Wellington earlier this year.

New Zealand Test squad to tour Bangladesh: Tim Southee (capt), Tom Blundell (wk), Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Kane Williamson, Will Young.

The Christchurch-born batter has had a decent Test career so far, averaging 38.78 in 54 Tests with nine centuries. The Kiwis didn't qualify for the World Test Championship final on the last occasion, and they would want to boost their chances of doing so this year.