Blair Tickner stretchered off after suspected shoulder dislocation in second New Zealand-West Indies Test

The Black Caps were dealt a major setback on the opening day of the second Test against the West Indies at the Basin Reserve when in-form fast bowler Blair Tickner suffered an injury while fielding near the boundary. Tickner’s Test comeback took a painful turn when the New Zealand pacer was stretchered off after a suspected shoulder dislocation. Teammates and medical staff rushed over before he was taken from the field to warm applause.

Playing his first Test since early 2023, Tickner had earlier starred with an impressive 4 for 32, tearing through the visitors’ top order. However, his day unraveled in the 67th over when he dived at fine leg to stop a boundary off a Tevon Imlach flick and immediately signaled for assistance.



The injury deepens New Zealand’s seam-bowling woes - Tickner was only recalled after Matt Henry and Nathan Smith were ruled out, making him the third fast bowler forced out mid-Test in this series. Tickner claimed the first two wickets of Brandon King and Kavem Hodge - both trapped in front - before picking up the wickets of Shai Hope and captain Roston Chase.

Tickner’s impressive 4/32 from 16 overs made him New Zealand’s standout bowler on day one of the second Test, but his suspected shoulder dislocation adds to an already mounting list of absent pacers, including Ben Sears, Will O’Rourke, and Matt Fisher. The Black Caps now face the prospect of losing a third fast bowler mid-series, following earlier injury setbacks in Christchurch that forced them to field short-handed and allowed the West Indies to secure a draw. The latest injury cast a shadow over the Basin Reserve, dampening spirits among players and fans despite a promising second and third session for the hosts.

New Zealand bowled out the West Indies for 205 and reached 24 without loss in response on the first day of the second Test on Wednesday. Tickner had made a strong comeback to Test cricket, claiming 4 for 32 in an impressive display. The 32-year-old ended day one of his fourth Test - his first in nearly three years - in hospital, casting doubt over his availability in the ongoing Test.