.png)
Blackcaps cricketer Neil Wagner has announced his retirement from international cricket. He will be with the squad for the first test against Australia at the Basin Reserve, but will not feature in the playing XI and will be released before the second test.
Wagner played 64 test matches for Aotearoa but did not feature in any whiteball sides for his country.
He made his test debut against the West Indies in 2012 and took one wicket in the first innings. Wagner grabbed his first test four-wicket haul in 2013 against England with his first five-wicket bag coming later that year against Bangladesh in Mirpur.
His best bowling in a test match was against the West Indies in 2017, where he took figures of 7/39 in the first test. Throughout his career, Wagner took 260 wickets at an average of 27.57
Across his career he scored one fifty with that being against the West Indies, blitzing 66* from just 42 with eight fours and four sixes.
He has the fifth most test wickets for New Zealand with Richard Hadlee, Tim Southee, Daniel Vettori and Trent Boult ahead of him.
Speaking on his retirement Wagner said:
“It’s been an emotional week,”
“It’s not easy to step away from something you’ve given so much to and got so much out of, but it’s now time for others to step up and take this team forward.
“I’ve enjoyed every single moment of playing Test cricket for the Blackcaps and am proud of everything we’ve been able to achieve as a team.
Blackcaps head coach Gary Stead spoke on Wagner’s contribution to the team:
“Neil’s numbers are phenomenal, but I don’t think we can underestimate his contributions to the team when the chips were down and he found a way to create a wicket.
“His accuracy, execution and tenacity has been instrumental in many of our great Test victories and he will always be remembered for his lion-hearted nature.
Comments