Blair Tickner being stretchered off in pain

Blair Tickner’s Test return turned painful at the Basin Reserve. After claiming a brilliant 4 for 32 to dismantle the West Indies' top order, the seamer suffered a suspected dislocated shoulder while fielding. Tickner, playing his first Test since 2023, dived at fine leg in the 67th over and immediately signalled for help. He was stretchered off to warm applause, leaving New Zealand’s attack depleted.

This injury exacerbates a seam bowling crisis for the hosts. Tickner was a replacement for injured duo Matt Henry and Nathan Smith. His exit leaves an inexperienced pace trio of Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, and debutant Michael Rae to shoulder the load. Remarkably, part-timers Glenn Phillips and Kane Williamson are now the team’s leading wicket-takers. This marks the least experienced Kiwi pace attack since 2012. Despite dismissing the tourists for 205, New Zealand faces another Test finishing a bowler down, echoing the recent Christchurch draw.