Who is Blair Ticker? Here's a look at some of his iconic performances after his four-fer against Windies

New Zealand's home season took another twist in Wellington, but one name shone brighter than the setbacks-Blair Tickner. The 30-year-old right-arm quick, who has steadily grown into a reliable red-ball option for the Black Caps, delivered a crucial four-wicket haul at the Basin Reserve before an unfortunate injury forced him off the field. His spell once again underlined why New Zealand continue to place their faith in him, especially in testing conditions.

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Early career and rise in domestic cricket

Tickner came through the Central Districts' system, making his mark in the Plunket Shield with his heavy length and natural bounce. Solid domestic numbers eventually propelled him into New Zealand's white-ball set-up, and he made his international debut in 2019. Being able to hit the deck and extract movement has been a key part of his bowling identity across formats.

Notable international performances

The impact spells of Tickner have been delivered on several occasions:

4 for 50 vs Sri Lanka, 2023 (Christchurch): One of his early Test highlights came at Hagley Oval, where he bowled long, disciplined spells and removed the top order to help New Zealand build early control.

3 for 55 vs England, 2023 (Mount Maunganui): In the pink-ball Test, he provided vital breakthroughs, removing well-set batsmen to keep New Zealand in the game against the aggression of England's Bazball.

2 for 28 on T20I debut against India, 2019: He struck with his very first over in international cricket, marking a confident start in front of the home crowd.

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The four-fer against West Indies

At the Basin Reserve, Tickner produced one of his most assured Test spells. His 4 for 32 busted West Indies' early momentum, accounting for Brandon King, Kavem Hodge, Roston Chase and the in-form Shai Hope. His combination of seam movement and bounce induced a collapse that kept New Zealand firmly on top before he was stretchered off with a suspected shoulder injury. Tickner's latest attempt just signalled his worth as a reliable workhorse in New Zealand's developing pace attack.