Blair Tickner Stretchered Off After Painful Shoulder Injury in Wellington Test

New Zealand fast bowler Blair Tickner, whose performance for the hosts had been the most impressive on the first day of the 2nd Test in Wellington, sustained a suspected dislocation of his left shoulder and was taken off the field on a stretcher.

Earlier, Tickner delivered an excellent spell, taking four wickets and breaking through the West Indies batting order. This injury, though, came in the 67th over when he tried to make a full-length dive into the area near the fine-leg boundary while chasing a flick from Tevon Imlach.

He collapsed instantly, and teammates and support staff immediately rushed toward him in concern. Medical teams from New Zealand and the venue attended to him at the boundary edge, and he was carried on to a stretcher standing upright to loud applause at Basin Reserve.

"He [Tickner] left the field with a left shoulder injury and was transported to the hospital shortly afterwards," NZC said in a release. "Once the medical team and local doctors have done their work with him, an update will be fed back."

Tickner’s Impact Before the Injury

Playing his first Test since early 2023, Tickner had been recalled to the XI due to injuries to Matt Henry and Nathan Smith in Christchurch. His bowling figures of 4 for 32 from 16 overs made him New Zealand’s clear standout bowler on the day.

However, his injury adds to what has already become a significant list of unavailable fast bowlers in the series. Ben Sears, Will O'Rourke, and Matt Fisher had already been ruled out, leaving New Zealand heavily depleted in the pace department.

New Zealand’s Growing Fast-Bowling Crisis

New Zealand is now staring at the possibility of losing a third fast bowler mid-Test in the same series. A similar situation unfolded in Christchurch, where injuries weakened their attack and allowed West Indies to bat out for a draw.

The setback at the Basin Reserve took the shine off what had been two upbeat sessions for the hosts, with spectators and players feeling the emotional shift as Tickner was taken away for assessment.

Before being forced off, Tickner delivered key breakthroughs: he trapped Brandon King (33) and Kavem Hodge (0) lbw, dismissed Shai Hope for 48 with a sharp bouncer, and knocked over Roston Chase’s leg stump. His spell had placed New Zealand firmly in control before the injury interrupted proceedings.

Inexperienced Attack Faces Added Pressure

If Tickner is ruled out for the remainder of the match, it will be a significant blow to an already inexperienced seam attack featuring Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, and debutant Michael Rae.

Remarkably, New Zealand’s two leading wicket-takers in the Test so far are part-timers Glenn Phillips (31 Test wickets) and Kane Williamson (30).

This Test has also become New Zealand’s first in 13 years in which they have fielded a seam-bowling group with fewer than 50 career Test wickets combined, the last time being in Kingston in 2012, when Trent Boult, Tim Southee, and Neil Wagner first played together.