There's nothing new about Henry Nicholls scoring tons. His record for Canterbury now includes eight Ford Trophy hundreds and seven in the Plunket Shield, but yesterday's unbeaten 117* was a special one
Cole McConchie has shouldered the Canterbury captaincy for most of the team’s recent history, so with his name at the top of the team list for the first time, for veteran run machine Nicholls it was a proud day to make his captaincy debut for his lifelong Domestic side.
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All of the opening round Ford Trophy matches were border battles, and Canterbury's was a southern derby against the Otago Volts at Hagley Oval.
After a destructive few days of ferocious winds whipping the South Island, it was the calm after the storm at a picture-perfect ground, and Nicholls later cashed in.
The day began with a toss win for his opponent Luke Georgeson with the Volts electing to bat, three new blue caps in Georgeson's line-up after the acquisition of Jack Boyle (ex Canterbury and Central Stags), Danru Ferns (ex Auckland Aces) and Troy Johnson (Wellington Firebirds).
Jack Boyle on Volts debut | PHOTOSPORT
There was a Boyle batter per team with Jack's young brother in the Canterbury line-up as usual. The elder Boyle got the Volts off to a good start with a half century (64) on blue debut to guide his side through to a good position, as they approached the halfway mark of the innings.
Jack Boyle on Volts debut | PHOTOSPORT
A breakthrough for the Canterbury hosts hadn’t come until the 10th over, and then a sharp throw from Rhys Mariu quickly added a runout as well - but at 127/2, things looked on track for the Volts.
Until Fraser Sheat thundered a ball into Boyle’s pads, and the middle order fell apart.
Angus McKenzie had been responsible for the opening breakthrough, and it was chiefly the burly allrounder and spinner Michael Rippon who got the wickets tumbling and short-circuited the Volts’ innings from there.
The visitors were all out in the 49th for just 206 in the end, McKenzie walking off with 3/30 and Rippon 3/28.
Michael Rippon | PHOTOSPORT
So it was advantage Canterbury at lunch, and Nicholls made it game, set and match in reply as the seasoned opener took command. His unbeaten 117* off 125 was textbook stuff, forming a 72-run stand with Chad Bowes that got his side well on their way to the target.
A karmic moment ironically had first drop Mariu run out for no score, Llew Johnson with one stump to aim at. But (Matt) Boyle’s knock of 34 steadied the ship and left Nicholls to drive the ball along the carpet for the winning runs in just the 39th over.
Canterbury is the defending champion in this format and has a rare chance of a title threepeat. They were off to a perfect start with a bonus point victory, and the other two finalists from last season - the Auckland Aces and Central Stags, meanwhile exactly did the same in Auckland and New Plymouth.
2025/26 ROUND One
25 October 2025
Hagley Oval, Christchurch
Canterbury defeated Otago Volts by six wickets
Bonus point win
STATCHAT spotlight on Henry Nicholls
- HM Nicholls 9th List A Century (8th for Canterbury)
- HM Nicholls 3000 List A runs for Canterbury when he reached 38
- HM Nicholls 5,500 List A runs when he reached 51
NEXT ROUND (Round 2)
- Wellington Firebirds v Canterbury at Cello Basin Reserve, Wellington
- Central Stags v Northern Districts at Pukekura Park, New Plymouth
- Auckland Aces v Otago Volts at Kennards Hire Community Oval, Auckland
POINTS (after Round 1 of 10)
- Auckland Aces 5
- Canterbury 5
- Central Stags 5
Angus McKenzie | PHOTOSPORT
