New Zealand Fast bowler Blair Tickner will play his first Test match against England at the Bay Oval.

Tim Southee, the captain of New Zealand, has stated that fast bowler Blair Tickner will play his maiden Test against England on February 16. A two-game home series between the Three Lions and the Black Caps will be played. The series is not part of the World Test Championship (WTC) calendar for 2021–2023.

The 29-year-old is given a chance since pace bowlers Kyle Jamieson and Matt Henry are not available. Jamieson has been forced to skip the Test series due to injury. The birth of Henry’s first child, though, will prevent him from playing in the opening Test at Bay Oval. The quick bowling onslaught will include Southee, Neil Wagner, and Tickner.

Tickner will undoubtedly play, according to Tim Southee, even if the exact starting lineup has not yet been determined. Scott Kuggeleijn and Jacob Duffy will have to wait for their moment. One of the four speed bowlers on New Zealand’s team would be a rookie.

“We’ll monitor the wicket’s development tomorrow. The grounds team appeared to be generally satisfied with the field, despite the fact that there are a lot of factors at play, including the fact that this is the first day-night test being played here and a cyclone two days before to the match. It ought to have a presentable surface, in my opinion “Southee said something.

Blair Tickner has played in 17 T20 internationals and nine ODIs for New Zealand. The right-arm fast bowler took 13 and 16 wickets, respectively, with an above-average economy rate. He participated in 61 first-class games and had a 35.17 average while taking 178 wickets.

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