An emotional Neil Wagner announced his retirement from worldwide cricket on Tuesday, after the quick bowler was disregarded of New Zealand’s staff for the primary Test towards Australia this week.
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Wagner fought again tears as he instructed reporters he had determined to name time on a 64-Test profession after New Zealand Cricket mentioned he wouldn’t be within the aspect for Thursday’s match in Wellington.
“It’s never an easy time to do something like this, but the time has obviously come,” mentioned the 37-year-old Wagner, who has taken 260 Test wickets.
“It’s been wonderful to symbolize the Black Caps. It’s been a few of the proudest moments of my life.
Fiery short-ball specialist Wagner mentioned he would depart the squad earlier than the beginning of subsequent week’s second Test in Christchurch.
“I’m looking forward to one final week in camp and will be doing everything I can to help prepare and support the boys,” he mentioned.
Neil Wagner left South Africa in 2008
Wagner cited final yr’s one-run victory over England in Wellington, the place he took the final wicket to attract the sequence, as amongst his profession highlights together with profitable the inaugural World Test Championship in 2021.
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“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,” he mentioned.
Wagner made his New Zealand debut in 2012 after arriving from his native South Africa 4 years earlier.
“To the New Zealand 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,” mentioned Wagner.
Only Richard Hadlee, present captain Tim Southee, Daniel Vettori and Trent Boult have taken extra Test wickets for New Zealand than Wagner.
New Zealand head coach Gary Stead mentioned on Tuesday that Wagner was “one of the greats”.
“He has been by means of an unimaginable period and been an enormous cog of the bowling assault over time.
“We’ll remember his lion-heartedness, the way he just kept finding a way to make something happen.”
By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse
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