Media365
New Zealand’s second Test against the West Indies took a frightening turn on Wednesday when pace bowler Blair Tickner was rushed to hospital after suffering a nasty shoulder injury, moments after producing the best spell of his international career. Tickner, who had already triggered a dramatic West Indies batting collapse, crashed to the turf while diving to stop a boundary, instantly clutching his left shoulder and failing to get back on his feet.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Medical staff sprinted to his aid as players on both sides watched anxiously. After a tense few minutes, the pacer finally sat upright but appeared in visible pain. He was then stretchered off the field and taken by ambulance to a Wellington hospital, New Zealand Cricket later confirming he had injured his left shoulder.
Tickner’s injury overshadowed what was otherwise a dominant bowling response from the hosts. Before being forced off, he produced a match-defining burst of 4-32 in 16 overs, turning around a sluggish start in which New Zealand went wicketless for over an hour. The West Indies were cruising at 66/0 after Tom Latham opted to field, but Tickner struck twice in quick succession, using relentless accuracy to dismantle the opening stand.The visitors briefly recovered to reach 175/4 at tea, but collapsed spectacularly thereafter, losing six wickets for just 30 runs. Debutant Michael Rae supported Tickner superbly, finishing with 3-67, while Shai Hope top-scored for the West Indies with a composed 48.Both sides entered the match depleted, each forced to make last-minute changes due to injuries. The first Test ended in a draw, with the final match scheduled for December 18 in Mount Maunganui.
