Video has surfaced of Black Caps Test batsman Henry Nicholls appearing to rub a cricket ball on the rough part of his helmet during a Plunket Shield match this week.
The two videos show Nicholls rubbing the ball on different areas of his helmet while fielding in the 32nd over of Auckland’s second innings at Hagley Oval.
Canterbury easily won the match in which Nicholls scored a first innings century and was unbeaten at the end on 30 in the hosts’ second turn at the crease.
In a brief statement from New Zealand Cricket this afternoon, they confirmed Nicholls has been reported by the match umpires for allegedly breaching the code of conduct.
"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," the statement said.
"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."
Using foreign objects or substances to alter the ball is illegal under cricket’s laws.
Australian trio Cameron Bancroft, David Warner and former Test captain Steve Smith all copped lengthy bans when found to be involved in the use of sandpaper on the ball in a Test in South Africa in 2018.
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