Tickner effectively ruled out of the Wellington Test as he will not bowl or field, unlikely to bat for remainder of the Test.
Tickner not to bowl or field, unlikely to bat for remainder of Wellington Test.
Blair Tickner, who dislocated his left shoulder while diving to stop a boundary on the opening day of the match on Wednesday, will not bowl or field at all and is unlikely to bat for the remainder of the second Test between New Zealand and the West Indies in Wellington.
Tickner joined the team at the ground but “is awaiting further specialist assessment to determine his return to play,” according to a statement released by New Zealand Cricket on Thursday. Tickner was brought to the hospital for treatment shortly after his injury, which occurred during the second session of the opening day.
In the 67th over of the West Indies’ innings, Tickner, who had spearheaded New Zealand’s fast-bowling display on the first day with a four-for, was stretchered off after trying to stop a boundary at fine leg. His teammates were concerned when he dove full length close to the rope while chasing a flip from Tevin Imlach and stayed down. He was treated by the venue’s and the New Zealand camp’s medical staff before being removed from the pitch, sitting up but clearly uncomfortable, to enthusiastic cheers from the Basin Reserve audience.
Following injuries to Nathan Smith and Matt Henry in Christchurch, Tickner was selected for the starting lineup for his first Test since early 2023. He was New Zealand’s best bowler of the day with 4 for 32 from 16 overs. However, Ben Sears, Will O’Rourke, and Matt Fisher are just a few of the fast bowlers for New Zealand that are already sidelined for this series due to his injury.
It is now possible that New Zealand will lose a third fast bowler in this series. West Indies were able to bat out a draw after they were similarly reduced in Christchurch, which had a knock-on effect.
Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, and rookie Michael Rae will have to bowl for New Zealand in the West Indies’ second innings in Tickner’s absence. The part-time spin trio of Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, and Kane Williamson, as well as the sporadic medium-pacer Daryl Mitchell, will also be available to help when needed.