What Happened to Blair Tickner on Day 1 of the Wellington Test?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Blair Tickner suffered a suspected shoulder dislocation.
- New Zealand has lost multiple key players to injuries.
- The team made five changes for the second Test, including two debuts.
- New Zealand bowled out the West Indies for 205 in their first innings.
- Both teams are vying for their first win in the WTC cycle.
Wellington, Dec 10 (NationPress) New Zealand encountered a significant injury challenge when fast bowler Blair Tickner was reportedly stretchered off the field due to a suspected dislocated left shoulder during Day 1 of the second Test against the West Indies at Basin Reserve on Wednesday.
Tickner was exceptional on the first day of the Test, achieving a remarkable four-wicket haul, but his injury occurred in the 67th over while trying to stop a boundary at fine leg. He dove full-length for a flick from Tevon Imlach and immediately fell to the ground. Medical staff from the New Zealand team and the venue rushed to his aid before he was taken off on a stretcher. Following the incident, he was transported to the hospital via ambulance, as reported by ESPNcricinfo.
This injury adds to New Zealand's woes, having already lost Matt Henry, Mitchell Santner, and Nathan Smith for the remainder of the Test series due to their own injuries. Henry (calf tear) and Smith (side strain) were injured during the drawn first Test in Christchurch, while Santner (groin) was sidelined before the match. Additionally, wicketkeeper Tom Blundell was ruled out of the second Test after sustaining an injury while batting in the previous Test.
For the second Test, New Zealand made five changes to their lineup, with Mitchell Hay and Michael Rae making their Test debuts. Hay took over the wicketkeeping duties from the injured Blundell, while Rae stepped in for the injured Henry. Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, and Tickner came into the squad for Nathan Smith, Michael Bracewell, and Will Young.
Thanks to Tickner's impressive 4-32 and Rae's 3-66, New Zealand dismissed the West Indies for 205 in their first innings after 75 overs. The hosts ended the day at 24 without loss.
With the first Test concluding in a draw, both teams are eager to secure their first victory in the 2025-27 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.