2018 has been the making of Blackcap Henry Nicholls as a test player.
The 27 year old is now ninth in the world batting rankings, ahead of the Boxing Day test against Sri Lanka.
- Sri Lanka ready for more bowler-friendly wicket in Christchurch
- Opinion: Blackcaps must call on Matt Henry for Boxing Day test
He's now a fixture in the New Zealand middle order thanks to a superb average of 61 this year.
Ahead of the Boxing Day test at Hagley Oval, Henry Nicholls and Matt Henry were spreading Christmas cheer among shoppers in the CBD .
Nicholls has gone from an emerging player to now being an established part of the Blackcaps middle order.
For the first time he's now ranked inside the world's top best test batsmen.
"It's quite nice, recognition of not just myself but the way the team's been playing."
In saying that - he is still wary.
"Cricket is a fickle game so if you get caught up with what you've done, good or bad, it can catch up with you."
Case in point was the recent series in the UAE where there were failures as well as successes.
In contrast Matt Henry's only played nine tests since his debut in 2015 and there's no indication, either way, he'll get the call up on Wednesday.
"Having a Boxing day test is special it would be amazing, everyone's bowling well at the moment."
Tim Southee and Trent Boult in particular have been deadly on the Hagley Oval wicket
"With the grass and what not you want to bowl first knowing that days 2-3 will be easier to bat on"
And so it seems one Henry will try to add to what's been a breakout 2018 while the other awaits an opportunity to impress.
Newshub.
