Black Caps bowler Neil Wagner retires from international cricket ahead of 1st test vs Australia
Tuesday, 27 February 2024
Neil Wagner has announced a surprise retirement from international cricket.
Wagner took 260 wickets in 64 tests, putting him fifth on New Zealand’s list of most prolific wicket-takers in the format.
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Black Caps bowler Neil Wagner has dropped a bombshell on the eve of the test series against Australia by retiring from international cricket.
The 37-year-old made the announcement on Tuesday afternoon, less than two days before the first test between New Zealand and their trans-Tasman rivals at the Basin Reserve.
Wagner, in the squad for the two-test series, wasn’t going to be included in the XI for the first encounter and decided it was time to end his 64-test career after the game in Wellington - he will be released from the squad ahead of the second test in Christchurch.
“The time's obviously come,” said Wagner, who fought back tears when thanking people at a press conference in Wellington.
Wagner said his time playing for the Black Caps had been some of the proudest moments in his life, and that former captain Brendon McCullum told him something that has stuck with him through the last 10 days.
“He always spoke about leaving the Black Caps in a better place when you're done, and moving that legacy forward, and I thought that's something I can be pretty proud of.
To the NZ public and the fans, I can't thank you enough, for your support, for making me feel welcome, for making me feel like a Kiwi.”
The South African-born left-armer, who made his test debut in 2012 after arriving in New Zealand in 2008, took 260 test wickets to put him fifth on the list of most prolific wicket-takers for this country in the test arena.
Only Sir Richard Hadlee, current captain Tim Southee, Daniel Vettori and Trent Boult sit above Wagner, and his strike-rate is only bettered by Hadlee among that quintet.
Wagner wasn’t selected in the New Zealand XI for the first test against South Africa at Bay Oval recently, but was included in the team for the second test after Kyle Jamieson was ruled out with injury.
He had match figures of 2-74 but was clearly frustrated during South Africa’s second innings when he was the sixth bowler used - the first time in his test career he had been called upon that late.
Wagner was photographed displaying his middle-finger during celebrations of a catch he took early in the innings - before being given a chance to bowl - and then raised his finger to his lips when he took a wicket in his first over.
Black Caps captain Tim Southee and head coach Gary Stead later said they didn’t know who Wagner was gesturing to.
Stead said on Tuesday that Wagner leaves New Zealand test cricket as “one of the greats”.
“He has been through an incredible era and been a huge cog of the bowling attack over the years.
“We'll remember his lion-heartedness, the way he just kept finding a way to make something happen when perhaps something wasn't happening at the time,” Stead said.
Southee described Wagner as one of the great team men.
“You always knew what you were going to get with Neil and that was 100% commitment to the cause,” he said.
“He would do anything for the team and has earned nothing but respect and admiration within the dressing room.”
In a lengthy interview with Stuff ahead of the home test campaign, Wagner - who will turn 38 next month - said he would know when it’s finally time to hang up his battered bowling boots.
“It’s when you wake up in the morning and it’s too hard to go to the gym, too hard to go to training, and I can’t give as much as I’m giving,” Wagner said.
“When the bucket’s a bit empty, the desire is not there any more … I think you’ll know. I know it’s not far, the obvious thing is your body is getting older, time does move on and younger guys are coming in and it’s going to get to the point where it’s their time to start leading the way.”
“It’s not too far - it’s definitely coming, but I don’t think it’s too close yet.”