New Zealand’s bowling depth faces a significant challenge as pacer Blair Tickner has been ruled out for the remainder of the second Test against the West Indies in Wellington. Tickner sustained a dislocated left shoulder while attempting to save a boundary on the opening day. The injury occurred during a crucial moment, forcing him to leave the field and undergo further medical evaluation.
Having been the standout bowler for the Black Caps on day one, taking four wickets and contributing to bowling out the West Indies for 204, Tickner’s absence is a major blow. New Zealand Cricket confirmed he will not be able to bowl or field, and his participation with the bat is also highly unlikely. He is awaiting specialist assessment to determine his return-to-play timeline.
This latest injury adds to an already lengthy list of unavailable players for New Zealand, including Will O’Rourke, Matt Henry, Mitchell Santner, and Tom Blundell. With Tickner out, the bowling responsibilities will now fall more heavily on debutant Michael Rae, who took three wickets, alongside Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, and part-time bowlers like Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, and Daryl Mitchell. The team will need their batters to step up and provide a substantial first-innings lead to compensate for the reduced bowling resources.