New Zealand fast bowler Wagner retires from international cricket

New Zealand head coach Gary Stead said that Wagner was “one of the greats”

Updated - February 27, 2024 05:47 pm IST

Published - February 27, 2024 10:26 am IST - Wellington

The hard-working and durable New Zealand fast bowler Neil Wagner has announced his retirement from test cricket at 37. File

The hard-working and durable New Zealand fast bowler Neil Wagner has announced his retirement from test cricket at 37. File | Photo Credit: AP

An emotional Neil Wagner announced his retirement from international cricket on February 27, after the fast bowler was left out of New Zealand's team for the first Test against Australia this week.

Wagner fought back tears as he told reporters he had decided to call time on a 64-Test career after New Zealand Cricket said he would not be in the side for Thursday's match in Wellington.

"It's never an easy time to do something like this, but the time has obviously come," said the 37-year-old Wagner, who has taken 260 Test wickets.

"It's been amazing to represent the Black Caps. It's been some of the proudest moments of my life.

Fiery short-ball specialist Wagner said he would leave the squad before the start of next 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 said.

Wagner cited last year's one-run victory over England in Wellington, where he took the last wicket to draw the series, as among his career highlights along with winning the inaugural World Test Championship in 2021.

"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 said.

Wagner made his New Zealand debut in 2012 after arriving from his native South Africa four 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," said Wagner.

Only Richard Hadlee, current captain Tim Southee, Daniel Vettori and Trent Boult have taken more Test wickets for New Zealand than Wagner.

New Zealand head coach Gary Stead said on Tuesday that Wagner was "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."

0 / 0
Sign in to unlock member-only benefits!
  • Access 10 free stories every month
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.

We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of The Hindu and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.