New Zealand fast bowler Blair Tickner was taken off the field on a stretcher after suffering a suspected dislocation of his left shoulder during the second Test against West Indies in Wellington.
Tickner had been New Zealand’s standout performer on Day 1, claiming 4 for 32 from 16 overs, but injured himself in the 67th over while diving full-length at fine leg to prevent a boundary off Tevon Imlach. He remained down immediately before being attended to by the medical team and local doctors and was transported to hospital.
Playing his first Test since early 2023, Tickner’s injury adds to an already depleted seam attack, with Matt Henry, Nathan Smith, Ben Sears, Will O’Rourke, and Matt Fisher all unavailable this series. If ruled out, New Zealand could be left relying on Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, and debutant Michael Rae, alongside part-timers Kane Williamson and Glenn Phillips, who currently top the wicket charts.
Before leaving the field, Tickner had trapped Brandon King (33) and Kavem Hodge (0) lbw, dismissed Shai Hope (48) with a sharp bouncer, and uprooted Roston Chase’s leg stump, putting New Zealand firmly in control.
The injury casts a shadow over New Zealand’s seam resources, marking their first Test in 13 years where their frontline seamers have fewer than 50 career Test wickets combined, echoing the Kingston Test in 2012 when Trent Boult, Tim Southee, and Neil Wagner debuted together.
