New Zealand quick Blair Tickner suffered an injury scare in his first Test for nearly three years.
Blair Tickner stretchered off against West Indies
In the second Test between New Zealand and West Indies at the Basin Reserve, the hosts fielded first after winning the toss. In the 67th over of the innings, a delivery from debutant Michael Rae was deflected down to fine leg off the pad of Tevin Imlach.
Tickner ran around from his position to collect the ball, diving full-length to successfully prevent a boundary as the batters completed two leg byes. He remained on the ground though, with immediate concern for his well-being.
Medical staff soon arrived on the scene and helped Tickner off the field on a stretcher, with his right (bowling) shoulder looking to be the source of discomfort.
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Tickner marks Test comeback with four wickets
Earlier in the day, Tickner was the star of the show, in his first Test since March 2023. He ripped apart West Indies' top-order with the wickets of Brandon King, Kavem Hodge, Shai Hope and captain Roston Chase to return figures of 4-32 in 16 overs, currently the best of his four-Test career so far.
The injury blow has only compounded New Zealand's worries in the pace department. Tickner himself was drafted into this Test alongside debutant pacer Rae thanks to injuries suffered by Matt Henry and Nathan Smith during the first Test in Christchurch. The pair were unable to take on their regular bowling load in the fourth innings, which saw Justin Greaves and Kemar Roach's stunning rearguard lead West Indies to a draw.
Read more: Where do Greaves and Roach rank? The top 15 match-saving acts in Test cricket history
Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes (third Test each), Rae (first Test) and Glenn Phillips (16th Test) were the other four bowlers used by New Zealand on day one. They eventually bowled West Indies out for 205, before openers Tom Latham and Devon Conway saw them to stumps at 24-0.
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