Blair Tickner took four wickets on his return to Test cricket before leaving the field with a shoulder injury as New Zealand made a strong start to the second Test against West Indies.
Tickner (4-32) and Michael Rae (3-67) produced the goods with the ball as West Indies were bowled out for 205 on day one, with the hosts finishing the day on 24-0.
Brandon King (33) and Kavem Hodge (0) were dismissed by Tickner in back-to-back overs before Rae removed John Campbell (44) before he could reach his half-century.
Shai Hope (48) and captain Roston Chase (29) offered some resistance, but Tickner got the better of them both to put the pressure on the Windies' lower order.
And that pressure told as Glenn Phillips (1-19) and Jacob Dufy (1-33) helped dismantle
the tourists in Wellington, but a suspected shoulder injury for Tickner late in the day could prove to be a game-changer.
Tom Latham (seven not out) and Devon Conway (16 not out) will take to the crease at the start of day two as the Black Caps look to build on a strong bowling performance.
Tom Latham and Devon Conway see the team through to the end of day one. BLACKCAPS trail by 181.
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 10, 2025
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Data Debrief: New-look New Zealand attack on show
A lot of eyes would have been on Tickner and debutant Rae in this Test as they looked to replace injured seamers Matt Henry and Nathan Smith.
But the pair did not disappoint, combining for seven wickets on day one, while part-timer bowler Phillips also played his part with the ball.
The Black Caps have plenty of time to put an innings together, and they may want to be patient at the crease with the bowlers having plenty to work with, highlighted by West Indies' run rate of 2.73.
