Blair Tickner will miss New Zealand's next two one-day internationals against India after being struck by a ball while batting in Wellington, the ICC reported on 9 November. Kristian Clarke has joined the squad for both matches.
Tickner injury reshapes the pace group
Tickner was hit during the second ODI in Wellington. The ICC says the fast bowler will sit out the next two fixtures, with Clarke brought into the group. It has not given a return date for Tickner, and New Zealand has yet to name its squad for the fifth match.
The same ICC report says Matt Henry will miss the Hamilton game while recovering from a blow delivered by teammate Devon Conway at training. Lockie Ferguson is out for the rest of the series with a quad issue. Those are separate absences: Henry remains in a later named squad, whereas Ferguson does not.
SportsRivo compared the two squad lists published by the ICC. Clarke appears in both the Hamilton and Mount Maunganui groups, while Henry is listed only for the latter match. That confirms Clarke's place across the next two selections without treating the still unnamed final squad as settled.
India lead after Wellington defeat for New Zealand
India lead the five-match series 2–0, according to the ICC's 9 November update. The second ODI ended with India winning by four runs under the DLS method after rain interrupted the chase. SportsRivo's Wellington report records how New Zealand's bowlers had kept that contest close before play stopped.
The series position makes the next match decisive for New Zealand's chance of winning the series. Another India victory would settle the contest with matches still to play; a New Zealand win would keep it open. The squad changes arrive before that immediate test.
What the selections mean
- Clarke is named in both upcoming squads, giving New Zealand an available pace option for each match listed by the ICC.
- Henry is absent from the Hamilton selection but appears in the subsequent Mount Maunganui group.
- Ferguson will miss the rest of the series, according to the ICC, while the final-match squad remains unannounced.
Hamilton match comes next
The ICC's 9 November schedule places the third ODI in Hamilton on 10 November. New Zealand will have to make its next selection with Tickner and Henry unavailable for that fixture.
Source: ICC squad update