Blair Tickner is back in black. New Zealand have pulled the 32-year-old seamer into their one-day squad to face England, a late call prompted by Kyle Jamieson’s side strain that flared up over the weekend.
Tickner owns 13 ODI caps, the last of them in 2023. He was tidy rather than spectacular for Central Districts on Saturday – 1 for 55 against Wellington in the Ford Trophy – but that was enough for the selectors, who want a like-for-like option before Tuesday’s second match in Hamilton.
“Blair’s an experienced campaigner and no stranger to international cricket,” head coach Rob Walter said. “He bowls a heavy ball from a decent height with plenty of energy and aggression. In that respect he can fill a similar role to what Kyle would normally perform.”
The series stands 1-0 to New Zealand after a four-wicket win at Mount Maunganui. England had looked gone at 56 for 6 until Harry Brook’s counter-attacking hundred dragged them to 223, but Daryl Mitchell’s unbeaten 74 eased the chase.
“It was a good start to the series, and I thought the bowlers set the tone superbly,” Walter noted. “For Zak Foulkes to claim 4-41 in his first bowl in ODI cricket, including the big wickets of Ben Duckett, Joe Root and Jacob Bethell, showed the level of talent and composure he possesses.”
Foulkes’ effort, brisk and on a full length, removed three left-handers and the senior pro Root – not a bad first day at work. The batting response had its wobbles yet Mitchell, helped by Michael Bracewell, saw it home. As Walter put it, “It was encouraging to see the middle order then step up with the bat on a tricky wicket and I thought Daryl Mitchell and Michael Bracewell showed their experience to help guide us to the target.”
Seddon Park, usually lower and slower, presents different challenges. Walter accepts momentum can vanish quickly. “Seddon Park will bring new conditions and challenges, and we know England will be highly motivated to bounce back and level the series.”
Tickner, a skiddy bowler who likes to hit the splice, has heard that sort of talk before. Now it’s about converting the recall – and keeping Jamieson’s seat warm for as long as he can.
