Cricket: Black Cap Blair Tickner on shoulder injury, family health battles and resilience

Black Caps fast bowler Blair Tickner admits resilience has been crucial to excelling on the field amid family health battles off it.

The four-test seamer took four for 32 from just 16 overs before dislocating his shoulder in the field on day one of New Zealand’s victorious second test against the West Indies in Wellington.

Tickner has been given a six to 12-week recovery timeline, all but ruling him out of the Black Caps’ white-ball tour of India starting January 11.

Tickner also took four-wicket bags in both of his ODI outings for the Black Caps against England.

However, tragedy struck when his father, John, suffered a stroke after the third win over the Brits in Wellington.

John Tickner remains in hospital but is improving.

Tickner snr is no stranger to hardship. In 2023, his Awatoto home - south of Napier - was damaged by flooding caused by Cyclone Gabrielle.

An emotional Tickner made his test debut in Mount Maunganui against England just after, joining the clean-up effort before the second test in Wellington.

Blair Tickner dislocated his shoulder on the first day of the second test between the Black Caps and West Indies. Photo / Photosport

The news of John’s stroke came amid the gradual recovery of Tickner’s wife, Sarah, who was diagnosed with leukaemia in April last year.

She has been in remission for over a year but still has months of treatment ahead to avoid relapse.

Tickner talked to the Herald about the ups and downs of 2025.

“We were coming out the year thinking it was going to be a good one, Sarah getting better.

“My father’s been in hospital with the stroke since that [ODI v England in Wellington]. Then I’ve done this [shoulder injury] to finish off the year, but yeah, we’re resilient. I think resilience is our motto for the year.”

Tickner said his father is slowly recovering.

“He’s moving his arm a little bit more, and he’s just trying to get back to walking, but I’m hoping to get him out by Christmas, and yeah, he’ll be all right.

“But yeah, just seems like a never-ending thing at the moment.”

Tickner said Sarah is also making progress.

“She’s doing really well. She’ll finish her treatment in August next year, so we’re ready to get through that one step at a time.”

Sarah Tickner will finish cancer treatment in August 2026. Photo / Gary Hamilton-Irvine

Tickner said his shoulder injury does afford him some much-needed festive family time.

“I haven’t had Christmas at home properly for 10 years due to professional cricket. So it’ll be nice just to be around home in Hawke’s Bay, go to the beach and be around the family.

Tickner is working with “Coach Squad”, helping young cricketers with their bowling technique.

“I’m hoping to 2026 a little bit better and at least I’ve got time to get into some coaching whilst I’ve got one wing.”

The Black Caps face the West Indies in the third and final test at Bay Oval starting tomorrow, looking to clinch a series victory by capitalising on their 1-0 lead.

Nathan Limm has been a journalist with Newstalk ZB and the NZ Herald since 2020. He covered the Netball World Cup in Cape Town in 2023, hosts The Big League Podcast and commentates rugby and netball for Gold Sport.