The one Kiwi in the Big Bash semis

Henry Nicholls. Photo / Getty

Henry Nicholls has only been a member of the Sydney Thunders but he's in line to play a role in tonight's semifinal clash against the Adelaide Strikers.

Nicholls, who made his international debut for the Black Caps on Boxing Day, was called in as an injury replacement for former South African international Jacques Kallis last week.

Kallis remains in doubt for tonight's Twenty20 semifinal at the Adelaide Oval but the Thunder have said they will gamble with his groin injury if he's an 80 per cent fit. If Kallis doesn't pass a fitness test that would mean Nicholls will be the sole New Zealand representative in the semifinals.

Nicholls made 3 in his Big Bash debut against local rivals the Sydney Sixers before taking three catches in the field.

"It's a great moment in the Thunder's history to make the finals for the first time," Nicholls told the Sydney Morning Herald.

"To have been a part of the 'must-win' game [over the Sixers to qualify] was a great experience and we're going into the match with a lot of confidence.

"Absolutely, I feel as if I'm a part of the team. There's such a great culture here ... as soon as I joined a lot of the guys were very supportive and they've made me feel comfortable."

Nicholls, 24, told the Sydney Morning Herald that it was big experience playing in front of a sold out Sydney Cricket Ground.

"Back home a lot of the grounds we play at are ovals and there's a different sort of intensity to what I felt the other night at the SCG," he said.

"It was everything I expected in terms of energy and excitement and I'm expecting it again in Adelaide because a lot of the New Zealand boys who played in the [day-night] Test spoke very highly of the ground and atmosphere."