Blair Tickner opens up on wife Sarah's leukaemia battle and new cricket outlook
Synopsis
Blair Tickner's breezy No. 11 cameo against India turned heads, but the story behind it is bigger — his wife Sarah's eight-month battle with leukaemia since April 2024 that taught the New Zealand quick to treat cricket as a gift rather than a burden. 'Cricket's a little bit less than that,' he said, and he meant it.
Key Takeaways
Blair Tickner revealed wife Sarah was diagnosed with leukaemia in April 2024 and underwent eight months of cancer treatment.
Tickner said the experience taught him to 'play with a smile' and prioritise family over cricket.
He struck 23 off 34 balls with four sixes batting at No.
11 in the 1st ODI against India in Auckland , helping New Zealand reach 185 .
The speedster jokingly lobbied for a promotion to No.
3 , referencing a previous unbeaten 18 against England in Wellington .
Tickner is hoping Hnry Stadium produces bowler-friendly conditions — extra bounce and nip — for the 2nd ODI against India.
New Zealand fast bowler Blair Tickner has spoken candidly about how witnessing his wife Sarah fight through eight months of cancer treatment after a leukaemia diagnosis in April 2024 reshaped his entire perspective on life and cricket. The 32-year-old made the remarks on the eve of New Zealand's 2nd ODI against India at Hnry Stadium in Wellington on 6 November 2026.
A Life Reframed by Adversity
Speaking ahead of the Wellington fixture, Tickner reflected on a career that has had sharply contrasting chapters. 'My life, I guess it's been up and down,' he told reporters. 'It's amazing to have Sarah and my family (get) through it all, and I guess now I'm just trying to enjoy my cricket, and I've probably been a bit more myself.'
He described the arc of his career in three phases: early-career pressure, the gruelling period of Sarah's cancer treatment, and now what he calls the 'back end,' in which fun and authenticity are his primary goals. 'I guess (at the) start of my career, I felt a lot of pressure. Then we had Sarah's cancer treatment; it was hard, and now I'm sort of at the back end, and I'm looking forward to just having fun, really,' he said.
Cricket in Its Proper Place
The experience clearly recalibrated Tickner's relationship with the sport. 'I try to play with a smile on my face, and it's a lot more than cricket, obviously,' he said. 'It's done a lot for me, but I know that at the end of the day I'm going to go home to my daughter and my wife and I'm pretty happy and pretty lucky to do that. So yeah, cricket's a little bit less than that.'
That grounded mindset was evident in the series opener against India in Auckland, where Tickner walked in at No. 11 and struck a breezy 23 off 34 balls, including four sixes, helping New Zealand post 185. The knock drew wide attention and, with characteristic dry humour, Tickner suggested a promotion might be in order. 'I'm happy to move up to 10 — I just have to slowly make my way up to No. 3, I think,' he quipped.
Wellington Conditions and Tactical Plans
Tickner is hoping Hnry Stadium serves up conditions similar to the low-scoring thriller against England last year, in which he contributed an unbeaten 18 in a two-wicket New Zealand win. 'As a bowler (I'm) hoping for that. I don't want to be at a game where 400 chases 400, so I'm looking forward to a bit of extra bounce, hopefully a bit of nip off the wicket,' he said.
He also highlighted the unique tactical challenges posed by New Zealand's varied grounds. 'Dimensions in New Zealand are different at every ground we go. Obviously this is a lot shorter square, and then straight's quite long, so it's completely different to Eden Park,' Tickner noted, adding that death-bowling plans would need to reflect the ground's geometry — though he declined to reveal the specifics.
What to Expect in Wellington
With the series level at the halfway point, New Zealand will be looking to Tickner to contribute with both ball and his increasingly talked-about bat. The fast bowler's openly joyful attitude — forged through personal hardship — has resonated with teammates and supporters alike. How he and the New Zealand pace attack exploit Wellington's conditions could be decisive as the India ODI series enters a critical phase.
Point of View
Freer cricketer. The timing is notable too: New Zealand need a Tickner who bowls without anxiety in a series that is very much alive. Stories like this remind us that athlete resilience is rarely manufactured; it is usually earned the hard way.
NationPress
6 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What illness did Blair Tickner's wife Sarah face?
Sarah Tickner was diagnosed with leukaemia in April 2024 and underwent eight months of cancer treatment. Blair Tickner confirmed she has come through that treatment period.
How did Blair Tickner perform with the bat in the 1st ODI against India?
Tickner scored 23 off 34 balls batting at No. 11 in the series opener in Auckland, hitting four sixes as part of New Zealand's total of 185. The knock prompted him to half-seriously suggest he should be promoted up the order.
What conditions is Tickner hoping for in the Wellington ODI?
Tickner said he hopes Hnry Stadium produces extra bounce and nip off the wicket, similar to the low-scoring surface that helped New Zealand beat England there in a previous ODI. He prefers conditions that aid bowlers over high-scoring flat tracks.
How has Sarah's illness changed Tickner's approach to cricket?
Tickner said the experience taught him that cricket is not the most important thing in his life — going home to his daughter and wife is. He now tries to 'play with a smile' and be more authentically himself, which he credits for an improvement in his overall game.
Where is the 2nd ODI between New Zealand and India being played?
The 2nd ODI is being played at Hnry Stadium in Wellington, New Zealand. Tickner spoke to reporters at the venue on the eve of the match.
