New Zealand confirm Henry Nicholls to replace Kane Williamson in starting XI

Nicholls will fill the role vacated by Kane Williamson, who announced his retirement after the first Test defeat at Lord's.

The left-handed Nicholls usually usually bats lower down the order at number 4 or 5 and has only played two Test matches since the start of 2024 but Latham has backed the 34-year-old to fit in seamlessly.

"He's someone that has a lot of international experience," Latham said of Nicholls. "He's been out of the squad for a couple of years now, but has certainly forced his way back into the squad through weight of runs at domestic level.

"It's a really exciting opportunity for him to come back into the side in a role at No. 3 that he's been doing for Canterbury back home.

"For most of his career, he's batted No. 4 or 5. But what he's done for Canterbury over a long period of time, whenever he plays domestic cricket, he always tends to bat No. 3 or 4 as well.

"I think the good thing with Henry is he's always been able to adapt to situations… This is a really exciting opportunity for him to do something new in Test cricket."

Latham then spoke about the impact that someone like Williamson has had on himself and the Black Caps team over the 16 years that he was involved.

"It's been a bit of a process over a period of time," Latham said. "We've seen over his 16-year career, every time he's pulled the shirt on or he's been to training, he's given 100 percent and he's demonstrated the qualities that this team has, and he's done that for such a long period of time.

"For him to acknowledge that he's not quite right, or he can't necessarily give that 100 percent, is testament to the player he is, but also the person he is as well, that he's going to give someone else an opportunity to do that… We're obviously gutted not to have him, but we also acknowledge what he's done over his career.

"He told the guys a few days after that Test and it was an emotional time… I'm sure guys will reflect (how lucky they are) to have had the opportunity to play with him.

"I'm certainly like that - (I've been) fortunate enough to play most of my career with Kane. What he's given to this group, what he's given to individuals, that legacy will certainly live on."