New Zealand’s injury problems worsened during the second Test against the West Indies, as Blair Tickner suffered a shoulder injury on the opening day in Wellington on Wednesday, 10 December. The right-arm fast bowler had to be stretchered off, raising doubts over whether he would take further part in the match or not.
Matt Henry, Nathan Smith and Tom Blundell were ruled out of the second Test. Tickner impressed in Wellington, striking early by trapping Brandon King and Kvam Hodge before removing Shai Hope and captain Roston Chase. His spell gave New Zealand a strong start in the first innings on the first day.
Blair Tickner suffers shoulder injury on first day of West Indies’ second Test
Blair Tickner injured himself trying to stop a four. In the 63rd over, he chased the shot towards fine leg and dived near the rope. He landed awkwardly, and his teammates called for help as medical staff rushed to check him.
After some treatment, Tickner was taken off the field on a stretcher, receiving a warm applause from the Basin Reserve crowd. He was later taken to hospital in an ambulance, and there are now major concerns over whether he will be able to take 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 (waist)
Finn Allen (foot)
Tom Blundell (hamstring)
Blair Tickner (shoulder)#NZvWI– Deepu Narayanan (@deputalks) 10 December 2025
Blair Tickner shines on return but suffers injury on opening day
Blair Tickner, playing his first Test since the start of 2023, bowled a brilliant spell before getting injured. He was included in the absence of Matt Henry and Nathan Smith. Tickner took four wickets for just 32 runs.
However, his shoulder may rule him out of the remaining Tests. It is possible that New Zealand may lose its third fast bowler in the middle of this series, which they had already lost in Christchurch and the match was drawn.
If Tickner is unable to continue, it will leave the attack in the hands of a hugely inexperienced trio, Jacob Duffy, Jack Foulkes and debutant Michael Rae. New Zealand’s leading wicket-takers so far in the match have been 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 less than 50 combined Test wickets.
I’m treating it like it’s my last exam – Blair Tickner
On the eve of the match, Blair Tickner admitted that he was not expecting to last long in the team as many of the young fast bowlers were recovering from injuries.
Tickner said before the match, “The young fast bowlers have had a lot of injuries so I’m not expecting to be here forever, especially when they’ve come back. I think I’ll probably be at the back of the line again, so I’m treating it like it’s my last (game for New Zealand) and enjoying every moment.”
Tickner returned to the ODI team at the start of the season. He took four consecutive wickets against England. The fast bowler revealed that his father recently suffered a stroke shortly after the England series, although he is now recovering at Hawke’s Bay Hospital.
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