In a heartwarming display of support for personal priorities, New Zealand fast bowler Blair Tickner has chosen to withdraw from the upcoming T20I series against the UAE. The 29-year-old was slated to join the squad in Dubai but has decided to remain in his hometown of Hawke’s Bay to be with his wife and their newborn daughter.
The New Zealand Cricket fraternity has rallied behind Tickner’s decision, recognizing the significance of family commitments during this special time. Acknowledging the importance of fostering a family-oriented environment within the team, New Zealand’s head coach Gary Stead expressed full support for Tickner’s choice.
New Zealand’s head coach Gary Stead said, “We’re a family environment, and after speaking with Blair, we fully support him being at home. The birth of a child is a special time, and we’re glad to be able to support Blair in being at home. Jacob’s been part of many Blackcaps squads and has always acquitted himself internationally. He’s got good skills and experience, and we look forward to welcoming him into our squad in Dubai.”
As Blair Tickner steps back, his place in the T20I squad will be filled by Jacob Duffy. Duffy, no stranger to international cricket, previously represented New Zealand during the India tour earlier this year. With his proven skills and experience, Duffy is poised to seamlessly transition into the UAE series squad.
New Zealand’s T20I squad for the UAE tour is slightly understrength, featuring the absence of several regular players, including Finn Allen, Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, and Ish Sodhi. However, these absentees are set to rejoin the team when it travels to England for a four-match T20I series scheduled from August 30 to September 5, directly following the UAE tour.
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Kane Williamson, the talismanic captain, is also not part of the squad as he continues his journey toward recovery after undergoing surgery for a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee earlier in the year. Additionally, Trent Boult, known for his prowess in limited-overs cricket, is absent from the T20I setup as he has chosen to focus on franchise T20 cricket. Nonetheless, Boult remains a key component of New Zealand’s plans and is slated to participate in the upcoming ODIs in England.
The first of three matches is scheduled for August 17 at the Dubai International Stadium, where the Kiwis will look to continue their cricketing journey with determination and unity, on and off the field.
