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New Delhi: New Zealand fast bowler Blair Tickner stretchered off the field due to a suspected dislocation of his left shoulder during the second Test match against the West Indies at the Basin Reserve in Wellington on Wednesday, December 10.
He was playing his first Test match since early 2023 and picked up four wickets, ripping through the visitors' top order. He got injured in the 67th over while stopping a boundary at fine leg. Tickner was chasing a flick from Tevon Imlach, diving full-length near the boundary and stayed down immediately.
He signalled for help quickly, prompting teammates and medical staff to rush to attend to him before the pacer was taken off the field to warm applause from the home crowd. He later left the venue in an ambulance.
Tickner had been selected in the playing XI for this match after Matt Henry and Nathan Smith suffered injuries in Christchurch. His 4/32 from 16 overs made him comfortably New Zealand's best bowler on the opening day. But his injury adds to an already long list of unavailable pacers this series, which includes Ben Sears, Will O'Rourke and Matt Fisher.
New Zealand are now on the verge of losing a third pacer mid-Test this series. They were in a similar situation in Christchurch, which had a knock-on effect and allowed the visitors to bat out for a draw. The setback also spoiled the mood at the Basin Reserve among the fans and the New Zealand players, following what had been a brilliant second and third sessions for the Black Caps.
Before the shoulder injury, Tickner had trapped Brandon King and Kavem Hodge lbw, bouncing out Shai Hope, and removing Roston Chase's leg stump. His absence leaves New Zealand with an already inexperienced pace attack, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes and debutant Michael Rae.
Remarkably, New Zealand's highest wicket-takers in the Test match so far are part-timers Glenn Phillips (31 Test wickets) and Kane Williamson (30).
