New Zealand have lost their in-form quick Blair Tickner for the rest of the second Test against West Indies after he dislocated his left shoulder while trying to save a boundary on day one at the Basin Reserve.
NZC confirmed on Thursday that Tickner “is awaiting further specialist assessment to determine his return to play”. At this stage he will not bowl or field again and, unless the match takes an unlikely turn, he probably won’t bat either.
The mishap came late in the afternoon session on Wednesday. Tevin Imlach flicked Jacob Duffy fine, Tickner sprinted round from long leg, then threw himself head-first at the rope. He stayed down straight away. Team-mates gathered, medical staff followed, and the crowd applauded politely as he was stretchered off with his arm in a makeshift sling. Not the sort of image anyone wants on day one.
It is rotten timing for the 31-year-old. Picked for his first Test in almost two years after injuries to Matt Henry and Nathan Smith, he led the attack with a sharp 4 for 32 from 16 overs – lbws to Brandon King and Kavem Hodge, a well-directed bumper to remove Shai Hope, then Roston Chase’s leg stump flattened. New Zealand looked well on top at that point.
Now the home side are back to juggling bowlers. Duffy, Zak Foulkes and debutant Michael Rae make up the recognised pace group, with Glenn Phillips and Rachin Ravindra offering part-time spin. Kane Williamson can wheel his arm over if needed, and Daryl Mitchell’s medium-pace is always there for a couple of overs, but it’s hardly ideal. Ben Sears, Will O’Rourke and Matt Fisher are already on the treatment table; one more name on the list stretches things even further.
Coach Gary Stead didn’t try to gloss over it. “We’ve had a rough run with quicks this summer, no hiding from that. Someone else gets a chance and we need to adapt, simple as that,” he said on Thursday morning.
Senior batter Tom Latham echoed the sentiment. “You feel for Blair. He’s worked hard to get back in the Test side, bowls beautifully yesterday, then that happens. We’ll rally round him and get on with it,” he told TVNZ during the lunch break.
West Indies know all about capitalising when opposition resources thin out – they batted almost two full days in Christchurch after Matt Henry hobbled off – and they will sense another opportunity here.
Even so, Basin Reserve often offers assistance for bowlers late in the match. Assistant coach Shane Jurgensen pointed to that. “There’s still something in the surface. If we hit it hard, stick to our plans, we can create chances,” he said, sounding more optimistic than apologetic.
For Tickner, the priority is obvious: get the shoulder settled, see the specialist, map out a rehab plan. Should the scans show extensive damage, his home summer could be done before Christmas. If not, he might yet squeeze in the Boxing Day Test.
Either way, New Zealand will finish this match a seamer light and, given recent history, that already feels familiar.
