New Zealand Star Gets Injured Mid-Match, Concussion Sub Brought In Vs England

New Zealand suffer injury concern [Source: @BLACKCAPS/x]The New Zealand cricket team has now suffered yet another injury concern, this time in the middle of their series-deciding third Test against England at Trent Bridge. Fast bowler Blair Tickner, who was making his return to the national playing XI after missing the first two Tests, was hit on his helmet by a Jofra Archer bouncer on Day 2. Batting at number 10, Tickner was hit in just the third ball he faced in the innings after arriving at 434-8 in 113.3 overs. He was subsequently checked in for concussion symptoms by New Zealand’s physio.The speedster even bowled three wicketless overs in the England innings, but did not return to the field after Tea break due to nausea. New Zealand name Blair Tickner’s replacementOn Day 2 of the series-deciding England vs New Zealand Test, the Black Caps confirmed that Blair Tickner has been ruled out of the remainder of the match owing to concussion. The speedster suffered an injury while batting at number 10 for New Zealand, after he was hit on the helmet by a Jofra Archer bouncer. Also Read- Ben Stokes Gets In Another Fight, This Time On Field vs New ZealandFellow New Zealand paceman Zak Foulkes has been called up into the playing XI for the remainder of the match as a concussion substitute for injured Tickner. Taking to social media, the NZC said in a statement “Blair Tickner has been ruled out of the remainder of the third Test against England at Trent Bridge with concussion after being struck on the helmet while batting in the first innings. Zak Foulkes has been named as Tickner's replacement.”BLACKCAPS @BLACKCAPS An update from day two at Trent Bridge. #ENGvNZ | 📸 @PhotosportNZ Jun 26, 2026, 9:44 PM Zak Foulkes makes his Test return after Ireland matchMuch like Blair Tickner, fast bowler Zak Foulkes also missed the first two Tests of the series in England. The New Zealand paceman last played Test cricket a few weeks ago in Ireland. As a concussion replacement, Foulkes will now be able to play a full role for the rest of New Zealand’s ongoing decider against England at Trent Bridge in Nottingham.New Zealand plagued with injuries in deciderAs confirmed earlier this week, the New Zealand cricket team is already playing the most important match of their tour without the services of all-rounder Glenn Phillips and fast bowler Matt Henry. Both Phillips and Henry were the architects of New Zealand’s emphatic 253-run win at The Oval last week, with the latter grabbing 11 wickets to win the ‘Player of the Match’ award. While Henry was ruled out owing to a calf injury, Phillips missed out the decider due to a side strain.Moreover, lanky paceman Kyle Jamieson was also excluded from the New Zealand playing XI as part of his workload management after facing back issues.Ben Duckett fights back for EnglandNew Zealand mounted 438 in 114.5 overs on Days 1 and 2 after winning the toss and opting to bat. Both openers, Tom Latham and Devon Conway plundered scores of above 150 during their epic 317-run opening partnership before English skipper Ben Stokes picked up a sensational four-wicket haul. England responded back by resorting to their tried-and-tested ‘BazBall’ routine, with firebrand opener Ben Duckett cracking 113 runs off just 99 balls. The hosts raced to 212-2 in 41 overs by the time of publishing. Also Read- Shreyas Iyer Blames Bowlers After India's Loss To Ireland On His 1st T20I As Captain