New Zealand National Cricket Team lower-order batter Blair Tickner produced a stunning display of power-hitting against India in the five-match ODI series opener at Eden Park in Auckland on Wednesday (November 4). Coming in at number 11, Blair Tickner surprised the Indian bowlers with his fearless batting and smashed three sixes in one over from Arshdeep Singh.
Tickner’s incredible hitting helped New Zealand add quick runs at a time when India were looking to finish the innings quickly. However, the New Zealander’s entertaining knock finally came to an end when Gurnoor Brar dismissed him for 34 runs in Auckland. Earlier, Virat Kohli teased Glenn Phillips with John Cena’s ‘You Can’t See Me’ celebration.
Blair Tickner smashes 19 runs in Arshdeep Singh’s over
Blair Tickner entered the record books with his incredible hitting in the first ODI between India and New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland as he joined an exclusive list of number 11 batters who have scored four sixes in an ODI innings.
The big moment came in the 38th over when Tickner was facing Arshdeep Singh. The Indian pacer tried to bowl yorkers but failed to get his length right, allowing the New Zealand batter to take full advantage at Eden Park.
Tickner first smashed a full delivery over long-on for a huge six. He followed it up with another maximum over long-off before sending a third six into the long-on stands. Arshdeep also bowled two wides in the over, making things even more frustrating for him and India.
Tickner scored 19 runs off the over, while Jacob Duffy added two more runs from the final delivery. As a result, Arshdeep conceded 23 runs in that over in the first ODI at Eden Park. Amid this, Arshdeep Singh opens up on gesture after Kyle Jamieson’s dismissal.
Tickner registers third-highest runs by a No. 11 batter in an ODI over
Interestingly, Tickner’s 19 runs were the third-highest scored by a number 11 batter in a single over in ODI cricket. Shoaib Akhtar holds the record with 21 runs against Craig White in Cape Town in 2003, while Brian Vitori scored 20 runs against JP Duminy in Bulawayo in 2014.
Most runs scored by a number 11 batter in an over in ODI cricket:
- Shoaib Akhtar: 21 runs off Craig White, Cape Town (2003)
- Brian Vitori: 20 runs off JP Duminy, Bulawayo (2014)
- Blair Tickner: 19 runs off Arshdeep Singh, Auckland (2026)
Blair Tickner becomes third No. 11 batter to smash 4 sixes in an ODI innings
Blair Tickner achieved another special record with his power-hitting. He smashed four sixes in his innings, becoming only the third number 11 batter to hit four sixes in an ODI innings.
Mohammad Amir was the first to achieve this feat against England in Nottingham in 2016. Naseem Shah achieved the same record against New Zealand in Hamilton in 2025, and Tickner has now joined them after his impressive performance against India in Auckland.
Number 11 batters with the most sixes in an ODI innings:
- Mohammad Amir: 4 sixes vs England, Nottingham (2016)
- Naseem Shah: 4 sixes vs New Zealand, Hamilton (2025)
- Blair Tickner: 4 sixes vs India, Auckland (2026)
Gurnoor Brar ends Tickner’s entertaining innings
Tickner’s brilliant hitting was finally ended by Gurnoor Brar. The Indian pacer continued with his short-ball plan, and Tickner tried to move away and attack another delivery.
However, he managed only a top edge, which went towards wicketkeeper KL Rahul. Rahul jumped to his left and completed a comfortable catch to end Tickner’s innings.
New Zealand’s number 11 batter walked back after scoring 34 runs from just 23 balls, including one four and four sixes.
Arshdeep Singh registers the best ODI figures by an Indian pacer in New Zealand
Despite conceding 23 runs in his final over, Arshdeep Singh finished with figures of 4/70. These are now the best ODI bowling figures by an Indian fast bowler in New Zealand.
He went past Mohammed Shami’s 4/55, which came in Napier in 2014. Former Indian pacer Javagal Srinath also recorded 4/23 in Auckland in 2003 and 4/52 in Napier in 1995.
Tickner’s late hitting made the final stages interesting and ended Arshdeep’s hopes of getting a fifth in the first ODI against New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland.
