Tickner and Rae Rip Through West Indies as New Zealand Take Control on Day 1

New Zealand’s patched-together fast-bowling unit put together an impressive collective effort on the opening day of the second Test in Wellington, rolling West Indies for 205 inside 75 overs at the Basin Reserve. But while the hosts had plenty to celebrate, their dominance was overshadowed late in the day by the worrying sight of Blair Tickner being stretchered off with a suspected dislocation of his left shoulder.

Tickner, playing his first Test in two years, was outstanding with figures of 4 for 32. He played a huge role in transforming West Indies’ promising start into another sudden collapse. Alongside him, debutant Michael Rae stepped up admirably, picking up 3 for 67 and providing the sharp spells New Zealand had missed early on. The opening hour belonged to West Indies after the hosts made five changes and the visitors three at the toss.

West Indies Start Well Before New Zealand Hit Back

On a surface far less green than usual in Wellington, John Campbell and Brandon King looked comfortable at the top, stitching together a 66-run stand for the opening wicket. Jacob Duffy and Zak Foulkes, who carried heavy workloads from the Christchurch Test following injuries to Matt Henry and Nathan Smith, bowled steadily but without breakthroughs.

Campbell drove confidently, and King was compact, giving West Indies a solid platform. But once Tickner and Rae entered the attack, both fresher and noticeably quicker, the tone of the innings changed immediately.

Tickner struck first, trapping King lbw in the 17th over. King, opening only for the second time in his Test career after Tagenarine Chanderpaul’s side strain, was undone by a delivery that jagged back sharply. One over later, Kavem Hodge fell for a duck when a fuller ball tailed in and hit him in front of middle and leg. With that double strike, New Zealand repaired the early damage heading into lunch.

Hope and Chase Resist, But Collapse Follows

Rae, expensive early in his debut spell, returned after the break with much better rhythm. He angled one across Campbell, who edged to first slip, reducing West Indies to 93 for 3.

Shai Hope and Roston Chase then attempted to rebuild through a 60-run partnership. Hope scored freely without ever fully settling, frequently rushed by bouncers from both Tickner and Rae. He endured two blows to the helmet, requiring concussion checks, as the pitch became livelier. 

Hope managed 48 before Tickner finally dismissed him with a rising delivery that he gloved to Kane Williamson at third slip. It felt inevitable given how uncomfortable the short ball had made him. Chase fell soon after, inside-edging a sharply jagging ball from Tickner onto his stumps for 29.

Justin Greaves, coming off a double-century in Christchurch, battled for 52 balls but eventually edged Rae behind. The rest of the lower order unraveled quickly. Rae trapped Kemar Roach lbw with a ball that straightened into middle stump, leaving West Indies reeling at 184 for 7.

Tickner’s Injury Dampens a Dominant Bowling Performance

Momentum halted suddenly in the next over when Tickner sprinted across from fine leg trying to stop a boundary flicked by Tevin Imlach. His full-length dive near the rope ended badly as he landed awkwardly and stayed down. 

New Zealand and venue medical teams rushed in, and after several minutes of treatment, he was stretchered off sitting upright but clearly in pain to warm applause from the Basin Reserve crowd. He was later taken to the hospital, with early signs pointing to a suspected dislocated shoulder.

Glenn Phillips then removed Imlach with a fuller ball that straightened enough to beat the inside edge. Anderson Phillip was run out soon after during a risky single, and Jacob Duffy wrapped up the innings by dismissing Ojay Shields, ending West Indies’ innings at 205, losing their last seven wickets for just 52 runs.

New Zealand openers Tom Latham and Devon Conway safely navigated nine overs before stumps, adding 24 runs. West Indies created a few half-chances, but none carried to the slips. With New Zealand trailing by 181 runs and batting expected to get easier on Day 2, the hosts hold a commanding position.