6'4, capable of bowling around 90mph and getting a lot of bounce, he should fit in well with a Derbyshire attack that isn't exactly vertically challenged. The wickets in New Zealand are fairly similar to those here and I would like to think that Tickner, who is closing in on 450 career wickets, will be an awkward proposition in early season.
There are a lot of excellent quick bowlers in New Zealand and for him to have reached international level in such company is a good effort. The highlights reels I have seen today suggest a wholehearted bowler who will quickly become a fan favourite. Supporters will always get behind a player who is giving his all and that appears to be his modus operandi.
As I mentioned earlier, I am unsure how many times he will share a new ball with Mohammad Amir, but I suspect opposition opening bats will not rejoice if they see both names on a team sheet.
My thoughts now are that he will take his place in the side for the season opener. I suspect that we will break Amir in gently and, for what it is worth, I would go with the following side to start our summer:
Reece
Came
Lloyd
Madsen
Guest
Lamb
Donald
Dal
Chappell
Conners
Tickner
That side has good depth in batting, not to mention six seam bowlers. I doubt we will need a spin option at that stage of the summer, but I would not be surprised were Tickner to be replaced by an overseas spinner for the second half of the season.
So what do you think? The side that starts 2024 is considerably different to the 2023 model
When one looks at who is outside of it, you realise how strong a squad it is.
I will draw short of saying happy days are here again.
But with the talent in that squad, they really should be...
