NZ vs ENG: Blair Tickner sends Ben Duckett packing to claim maiden Test wicket on debut

The opening day of the Pink-ball Test kicked off today between England and New Zealand at Mount Maunganui. After being asked to bat first, England lost a wicket early in the form of Zak Crawley with just 18 runs on the board. Though, they recovered well with a 99-run stand for the second wicket between Ben Duckett and Olie Pope.

At one stage, England were in a strong position with 152/2, the visitors slipped to 209/5 just after taking the tea break. The Ben-Stokes-led side continued their aggressive brand of cricket with explosive fifties from Duckett and Brook.

Blair Tickner's clever bowling led him to cherish a special moment

Meanwhile, Debutant Blair Tickner, ticked his debut Test with a special moment. Albeit, he was not treated well by the Duckett-Pope duo along with Harry Brook, with expensive spell initially, but just when Duckett was looking unstoppable, the Kiwi speedster pitched up a delivery, thereby inviting the drive from the batter. However, he couldn't get hold of it and Bracewell, did the rest to hand Tickner is maiden Test wicket.

Duckett falls 16 short of a century 😩

First Test Match Wicket for Tickner on debut ☝️#NZvENG pic.twitter.com/BRgcsiBzqZ

— Cricket on BT Sport (@btsportcricket) February 16, 2023

In totality, Tickner, during his bowling spell of 13 overs, conceded 72 runs and scalped a wicket. As far as his overall bowling economy is concerned, the way England were going all guns blazing, his economy of 5.53 runs per over can be considered fairly decent. 

Notably, Duckett missed out on getting his name etched in history for being among the few elite batters who scored a century within the first session of a Test match. Talking of the Kiwis, their seamers kept coming at the England batters and managed to get five crucial breakthroughs to keep themselves in the game still by the declaration of the hosts.

Interestingly enough, England, in a brave move yet again, have declared their innings with 325/9 on the board going into the dinner break. It will be interesting to see how New Zealand batters will fare when they come out to bat against a world class bowling unit.

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