New Zealand fast bowler Blair Tickner has opened up about one of the most difficult periods of his life, revealing how his wife Sarah’s battle with leukaemia changed his outlook on cricket, career pressure and family.

The 33-year-old pacer says the experience taught him that there is much more to life than cricket. After spending months watching his wife undergo cancer treatment, Tickner has developed a different approach to the game, choosing to enjoy every opportunity rather than worrying constantly about performances and expectations.

His emotional reflection comes as he continues to represent New Zealand in international cricket, with the fast bowler currently part of the squad for the ODI series against India.

The New Zealand international believes the difficult experience has helped him understand what truly matters. While cricket remains an important part of his identity, his priorities have changed, with his wife, daughter and family now firmly ahead of professional achievements.

Sarah Tickner’s leukaemia diagnosis brought a difficult period for the family

The toughest chapter began in 2024, when Sarah was diagnosed with leukaemia. Her illness brought an enormous emotional challenge for the family, as she had to undergo an extended period of treatment.

Sarah’s battle required considerable strength and patience from everyone around her. Tickner, who was continuing his professional cricket commitments, had to deal with the uncertainty of his wife’s health while managing the demands of international sport.

The fast bowler has spoken honestly about how difficult that period was. He admitted that the experience affected him deeply and made the pressures of professional cricket seem less significant.

Sarah’s treatment continued for an extended period, with the family receiving encouraging news in 2026. She completed her leukaemia treatment in August 2026 after a fight lasting more than two years.

Her recovery has been an important milestone for the Tickner family, particularly after the uncertainty and emotional strain they experienced.

For Blair, the experience was not simply a difficult personal chapter. It changed the way he looks at his career and the expectations he places on himself as an international cricketer.

Blair Tickner wants to enjoy cricket without unnecessary pressure

Reflecting on the different stages of his career, Tickner explained that his relationship with cricket has evolved significantly.

“My life’s been up and down,” the 33-year-old said ahead of New Zealand’s second ODI against India.

He also expressed gratitude for the support he received from Sarah and the rest of his family during the difficult period.

“It’s amazing to have Sarah and my family through it all. And, I guess, now I’m just trying to enjoy my cricket and I’m probably being a bit more myself,” Tickner said.

The New Zealand pacer admitted that pressure was something he struggled with during the early stages of his international career. Like many young cricketers, he felt the need to prove himself whenever opportunities came his way.

However, his wife’s illness gave him a different perspective.

“I think I’ve had different parts of my career. At the start of my career, I felt a lot of pressure, then when we had Sarah’s cancer treatment, it was hard,” he reflected.

Tickner now wants to approach every match with a positive mindset instead of allowing expectations to affect his performances.

“Now I’m sort of at the back end of my career and I’m looking forward to just having fun, really. That’s what I’m trying to do and trying to show in my game.”

His comments underline how personal experiences can change an athlete’s understanding of success. For Tickner, enjoying the opportunity to represent New Zealand has become more important than worrying about individual performances.

‘There’s a lot more to life than cricket’

One of the most meaningful parts of Tickner’s reflection was his explanation of how his family has become his biggest source of happiness.

The New Zealand bowler, who is also a father, said he now understands that cricket cannot define his entire life. The game has given him opportunities to travel, compete at the highest level and represent his country, but his happiness comes from something much closer to home.

“I try to play with a smile on my face and, yeah, there’s a lot more to life than cricket,” he said.

Tickner added that he feels fortunate to return home to his wife and daughter after fulfilling his professional responsibilities.

“It’s done a lot for me, but I know that at the end of the day, I’m going to go home to my daughter and my wife, and I’m pretty happy and pretty lucky to do that.”

He summed up his changed priorities with a simple statement: “So, yeah, cricket’s a little bit less than that.”

His words offer a glimpse into the personal side of professional sport, where players often face enormous expectations but also experience challenges that have nothing to do with results on the field.

Blair Tickner’s international cricket career

Tickner made his international debut in February 2019, representing New Zealand in a T20 International against India in Hamilton. He subsequently earned his ODI debut against the Netherlands in March 2022 before making his Test debut against England in February 2023.

The right-arm fast-medium bowler has built his international career through consistent performances for Central Districts and opportunities across all three formats.

His ability to generate bounce and maintain an aggressive approach has made him a useful option in New Zealand’s fast-bowling group.

In ODI cricket, Tickner has also demonstrated his wicket-taking ability. He registered his career-best figures of 4/34 against England, highlighting his potential to make an impact against quality opposition.

He has continued to feature in New Zealand’s international plans, including the ongoing home assignment against India. The series provides another opportunity for him to contribute to the Black Caps while enjoying the game with a renewed mindset.

India secured a five-wicket victory in the rain-affected opening ODI, taking a 1-0 lead in the series. New Zealand will be keen to respond in the remaining matches.

For Tickner, however, the bigger picture extends beyond the result of an individual match or series. After everything his family has experienced, simply being able to play international cricket and return home to his loved ones is something he values deeply.

His story is a reminder that sporting careers are about more than statistics, wickets and victories. Sometimes, the most significant victories happen away from the cricket field.

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