New Zealand paceman Blair Tickner to make Test debut against England
Tim Southee has confirmed paceman Blair Tickner will make his Test debut against England at Mount Maunganui on Thursday but said selectors will wait until the morning of the match to finalise the team.Tickner gets his chance in the pink ball series opener with Kyle Jamieson sidelined due to injury, Matt Henry on leave for the birth of his first child and Trent Boult overlooked after opting out of his national contract.The 29-year-old Central Districts bowler has played in 17 T20Is and nine ODIs for the Black Caps but has a modest first class average of 35.17 in 61 matches.He is expected to slot into a pace attack featuring veteran quick Southee and Neil Wagner, and possibly one of either Jacob Duffy and Scott Kuggeleijn if selectors go with a four-prong seam attack.
