New Zealand great Neil Wagner’s Journey has taken the end note as he stunned everyone by retiring from international cricket ahead of the Test series against Australia. The 37-year-old paceman was in the Black Caps squad for the two-match series beginning on Thursday in Wellington.
The energetic left-armer has announced his retirement from international cricket at the end of the series against Australia. But, he won’t be selected in the first Test meaning his 64-Test career has all but come to an end.
Kiwi’s left-arm fast bowler will not be in the starting XI for the first Test at the Cello Basin Reserve and will be released from the squad ahead of the second Test.
Bowing out as the nation’s fifth-highest wicket-taker with 260 scalps, Neil Wagner’s Journey closes
Finishing as the fifth-highest wicket-taker for New Zealand in Test cricket, Wagner’s retirement sees him leave behind a legacy as one of New Zealand’s most successful bowlers, behind only cricketing legends Sir Richard Hadlee, Tim Southee, Daniel Vettori, and Trent Boult.
With an average of 27 and a strike rate of 52, he is only lagging behind the great Sir Richard Hadlee (50) of New Zealanders to have taken more than 100 Test wickets. Wagner won 32 of his 64 Tests and claimed 143 wickets at an average of 22 in those victories.
In his last Test at the Basin Reserve, he took the wicket of England’s Jimmy Anderson for a dramatic one-run win. Wagner will be playing first-class cricket but felt like the time was right to step away from the Test arena.
Wagner’s Statement while Bidding Farewell to ever Ever-living Test Cricket
The only format he appeared in cricket, he found the exact time to say goodbye to it. While doing this, he couldn’t hold his tears back and said “It’s never an easy time to do something like this, but the time has come”, I’ve enjoyed every single moment of playing test cricket for the Black Caps and am proud of everything we’ve been able to achieve as a team.
“They sometimes say when you think about retirement, you’re screwed in a way,” he added. “an emotional road It’s a big roller coaster, but it’s the time to pass that baton on and leave that Black Cap in a good place for the rest to take it and hopefully grow their legacy”.
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Coaches and teammates added praise for his illustrious Career
Coach Gary Stead lauded Wagner’s impact beyond mere statistics, praising his selfless dedication and unwavering commitment to the team’s success. “Neil’s numbers are phenomenal… His accuracy, execution, and tenacity have been instrumental in many of our great Test victories,” Stead remarked, acknowledging Wagner’s significant contributions to the Blackcaps. Stead said Wagner would leave the game “as one of the greats”.
New Zealand Test captain Tim Southee described Wagner as one of the great teammen.
“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. I’ve enjoyed a great relationship with Neil on and off the field and am sure our friendship will continue for years to come”.
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