Henry Nicholls' breakthrough summer of cricket continues as the Black Caps rookie helped the Sydney Thunder qualify for their first-ever Big Bash final.
The 24-year-old Canterbury batsman finished unbeaten on 35 alongside Usman Khawaja who cracked a century as the Thunder beat the Adelaide Strikers by eight wickets.
Nicholls, who made his Black Caps debut on Boxing Day against Sri Lanka, looked composed at the crease and kept the strike ticking over as Khawaja (104 from 59 balls) did the damage at the other end.
The 74-run stand for the third wicket frustrated Adelaide, and Nicholls began to open up the longer he spent at the wicket.
The left hander smacked a six and four off consecutive balls from Gary Putland, before clearing the ropes one more time as he flourished in his run support role.
Acting as an injury replacement for South African allrounder Jacques Kallis, Nicholls will now return back to New Zealand to play for Canterbury in their one-day preliminary final against the Central Stags.
Watch the best moments from Nicholls innings above
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