Henry Nicholls he helped immediately return to New Zealand colors, the intervention of the retired Kane Williamson and provided an unbeaten century to push his team to the top against England on the third day of the Test at The Oval. By Friday, New Zealand had reached 252 for 3 in their second innings, stretching their lead to 352 after bowling England out for 291 before lunch. Nicholls remained unbeaten on 119, capping the innings on the side Rachin Ravindrawho managed 76 before being dismissed after tea. The pair added 161 runs off 201 balls, setting a new record for New Zealand’s highest partnership at The Oval. Their stand first set up the innings, then improved steadily before shifting gears after tea, when they started scoring nearly six overs with good timing and good fielding. New Zealand’s position gives them a commanding lead in the match, seven wickets in hand and a chance to push past 500. This would leave England with a big challenge in the fourth over, especially given their reputation at the venue. Their highest run at The Oval remains 263 against Australia in 1902, while their highest run in four overs anywhere is 378 for 3 against India at Edgbaston in 2022 in the Bazball era. Nicholls, who arrived in London last Sunday after Williamson retired, admitted the change was unexpected. “(Williamson retiring) took everyone by surprise,” he said. “I’ve had the chance to play a lot of my cricket with Kane. I’ve never had the chance to replace him. I was really excited to be back in Test cricket, you want to help. It was great, the partnership with Rachin and with Daryl (Mitchell) at the end.“ Trailing early 8 to 1, Nicholls met Jofra Archer Bowling at high speed and needs to settle quickly. He survived the first blast, then rebuilt after that Devon ConwayDismissed along with Ravindra, who played a big role while Nicholls provided calm. There were a number of early alarms, including a dropped chance on 7 by wicketkeeper James Rew, who held on with difficulty behind the stumps. England’s bowling struggled to break through the middle overs as the duo ran out of steam in both attack and mass. After tea, however, the tempo changed dramatically. Nicholls reached his century off 72 balls, just short of Ravindra’s 79 in his first fifty against England. Ravindra’s innings ended on 76 when he was caught by Jacob Bethell, who again proved his mettle after taking three wickets in the first innings. Nicholls brought up his century soon after, reaching his peak off 133 balls with his 14th boundary, through Bethell’s midwicket. It was his 11th Test hundred in his 59 matches and second against England, having scored a century in Auckland in 2018. He has registered a number of back-to-back hundreds in recent times, including an unbeaten 150 in Zimbabwe last August. He accepted the applause, raised his bat, and continued with determination. At stumps, they were unbeaten on 119 from 164, with Daryl Mitchell at his side on 32 not out as New Zealand added 63 runs in the final 86 balls of the day without losing steam. In the past, the New Zealand site was built on an exercise program led by Matt Henrywho took 5 for 80 to take five seven wickets in Tests. Making a strong comeback after back muscles ruled him out of the first Test at Lord’s, Henry was supported by a strong hold in the field as England were restricted to 291. The system below England showed unexpected resistance, and Matthew Fisher with Sonny Baker first to frustrate the attack and add 53 runs for the last wicket. Fisher was unbeaten on 50 from 77 balls, and received a standing ovation from the Oval despite England’s lackluster performance.