Henry Nicholls is on course to make New Zealand’s World Cup final line-up after coming through a net session 48 hours ahead of the game.
The opening batsman was unable to field during his side’s semi-final victory over India owing to ongoing hamstring problems which kept him sidelined at the beginning of the tournament.
Nicholls will be put through a final fitness test before the Black Caps confirm their side to tackle England at Lord’s but, according to coach Gary Stead, the signs are promising.
“He was batting for two hours and everything was good,” Stead said. “He’ll have a thorough test on Saturday and we’ll make a call then. If he’s ruled out then we’ve other guys in the squad that can step up.”
Nicholls had to wait until June 29 for his first involvement at the tournament, but has played each of New Zealand’s three games since, registering his top score of 28 in the narrow defeat of India at Old Trafford.
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The 27-year-old’s fellow left-hander Colin Munro partnered Martin Guptill at the top of the order before that, while Tom Latham would be another option to open should Nicholls fail to make it.
