Blair Tickner had a stunning ODI debut for the Blackcaps on Tuesday, taking figures of 4-50 to dismiss the touring Netherlands side for 202.
The 6-foot-tall bowler had plenty to offer the Blackcaps bowling line-up, ripping through the tourists with his height and speed to give his side the advantage as they went in to bat.
With several of the Blackcaps frontline bowlers unavailable due to IPL commitments, Tickner took his opportunity with both hands and pressed his case for a more permanent spot in the side.
“It was awesome to receive my cap from Will Young. He’s a good mate of mine, and to go out there and put that performance on was special,” he said on SENZ Breakfast.
“There’s a few things to work on, but I wanted to be aggressive and bowl fast, and I think I did half my job, so I’ll look onto the next one.”
Having been named in the ODI squad four times before finally getting his debut, Tickner felt that he was more than prepared to take to the field when he was given the nod earlier in the week.
“I was pretty chuffed that I was going to get the opportunity to play that time and it was awesome for the family to come along,” the 28-year-old said.
“I’m just stoked with it all really, and hopefully it’s going to be a good week.”
While the Blackcaps had an emphatic win over the Netherlands on Tuesday, Tickner believes the touring side has plenty more to offer in the final two games, and will not be taking them lightly as they head into their next match on Saturday.
“Obviously we had a good start, we had them five down early and then they had a good partnership in the middle,” he said.
“They looked to wok it around, and they tried to get it to the death stage and I think they could’ve gotten us at the end there.
“I think they have a lot that they can offer if they have a good start, so we just have to keep taking wickets and hopefully do that the whole series so they don’t get to the death stage.”
Tickner feels as if he still has plenty up his sleeve himself, and is looking forward to having the opportunity to show more of his skills in the final two matches.
“In one day cricket I try to bowl most of the deliveries quite fast and hard into the wicket and use my bouncer,” he said.
“I’ve still got a lot up my sleeve for the next few games so yeah, I’ll look forward to putting it all out there in the next two games and hopefully bowl even better.”
The Blackcaps take on the Netherlands in the second match of their three-game series on Saturday at Seddon Park in Hamilton, with the first ball set to be bowled at 2:00pm NZT.