New Zealand’s injury troubles deepened during the second Test against the West Indies, as Blair Tickner suffered a shoulder injury on the opening day in Wellington on Wednesday, December 10. The right-arm fast bowler had to be stretchered off, raising doubts about whether he will take any further part in the match.
Matt Henry, Nathan Smith, and Tom Blundell were ruled out of the second Test. Tickner made an impact in Wellington, striking early by trapping Brandon King and Kavem Hodge before removing Shai Hope and captain Roston Chase. His spell gave New Zealand a strong start in the first innings on the opening day.
Blair Tickner Suffers Shoulder Injury On First Day Of Second West Indies Test
Blair Tickner hurt himself while trying to stop a boundary. In the 63rd over, he chased a shot toward fine leg and dived near the rope. He landed awkwardly, and his teammates called for help as the medical staff rushed to check on him.
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After some treatment, Tickner was taken off the field on a stretcher, receiving warm applause from the Basin Reserve crowd. He was later taken to the hospital in an ambulance, and there are now major concerns about whether he can take any further part in the Test.
New Zealand injury list 🤕
Matt Henry (calf)
Lockie Ferguson (hamstring)
Will O’Rourke (back)
Adam Milne (ankle)
Ben Sears (hamstring)
Nathan Smith (side strain)
Mitchell Santner (groin)
Finn Allen (foot)
Tom Blundell (hamstring)
Blair Tickner (shoulder)#NZvWI— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) December 10, 2025
Blair Tickner Shines on Return but Suffers Injury Blow on Opening Day
Blair Tickner, playing his first Test since early 2023, produced a brilliant spell before being injured. He was included in the absence of Matt Henry and Nathan Smith. Tickner took four wickets for just 32 runs.
However, his shoulder might rule him out of the rest of the Test. It could be New Zealand losing a third fast bowler mid-Test this series, something that had already hurt them in Christchurch and led to a drawn game.
If Tickner is unable to continue, it will leave the attack in the hands of an extremely inexperienced trio, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes and debutant Michael Rae. New Zealand’s leading wicket-takers in the match so far are part-timers Glenn Phillips and Kane Williamson.
For the first time in 13 years in New Zealand cricket, they have fielded a seam group with fewer than 50 combined Test wickets.
I’m Just Treating It Like It’s My Last Test – Blair Tickner
On the eve of the match, Blair Tickner admitted that he wasn’t assuming a long run in the team as several younger fast bowlers are recovering from injuries.
“There’s a lot of injuries with the young fast bowlers so I’m not expecting to be here forever, especially when they’re back. I feel like I will probably be at the back of the line again, so I’m just treating it like it’s my last (game for New Zealand) and enjoy every moment,” Tickner said pre-match.
Tickner returned to the ODI side earlier in the season. He took consecutive four-wicket hauls against England. The pacer revealed that his father had recently suffered a stroke soon after that England series, though he is now recovering in Hawke’s Bay Hospital.
