Neil Wagner has announced his retirement from international cricket with immediate effect after being told by New Zealand selectors that he will not be selected for the upcoming two-Test series against Australia starting on Thursday.
Wagner, 37, made the emotional decision after a tough talk with coach Gary Stead last week, where it was confirmed he was not in New Zealand’s best XI for the upcoming series against Australia. He announced his retirement at a press conference alongside Stead at Basin Reserve in Wellington on Tuesday after being invited to be part of the squad for the first Test.
He retired after 64 Tests for his adopted country when he moved from South Africa. He took 260 wickets at 27.57 with a success rate of just 52.7. Only Sir Richard Hadlee has a better Test success record among New Zealand bowlers, having taken more than 100 wickets.
Wagner would continue to play first-class cricket but felt the time was right to retire from the Test arena.
“I knew that time was coming,” Wagner said. “They say sometimes when you’re thinking about retirement, you’re kind of screwed. I knew the time would come and it would get closer. In the last week, when I’ve been thinking and looking to the future, I’ve been looking at the Test V matches , coming up, I thought it was the right time to step down and let the other guys come in and do what we’ve done as a group for a number of years and obviously grow that offense.
“It’s never easy. It’s an emotional journey. It’s a big roller coaster. But I feel like it’s time to pass that baton on and leave that Black Cap in a good place for others to pick up and hopefully.” to nurture their legacy forward.”
Wagner and Stead spoke after New Zealand’s Test series over South Africa in Hamilton – which turned out to be Wagner’s last Test – about his future in the Test side. Wagner was originally not supposed to be part of the build-up to the Australian series at all, but the team invited their talismanic fast bowler down to be part of the first Test, even though he did not play.
“I didn’t want to be here,” Wagner said. “I think it’s a very nice way for the team … they invited me to come here and spend this time with them to celebrate but also to help them prepare for the series to get stuck in against Australia and it was really nice .” kind gesture.
“And I thought it would be a nice way to step away, do what I’ve always done, come here, be here with the team, do everything with a smile on my face and serve the guys. I am. And it’s pretty nice gesture and I’m really, really grateful to be here and to be asked by the team and everyone and Gary.” Stead said it was hard to tell Wagner he wasn’t a part. of New Zealand’s plans going forward.
“Very, very difficult conversations,” Stead said. “Neil understood. As he said, he was very grateful for his time at Black Cap, which I think is huge from him as well. I think it took Neil a while to figure out what that meant to him.” well, that’s not all. He is still available for domestic cricket, he is just retiring from international cricket. But these are incredibly tough conversations. Especially with the caliber of the guy next to me and everything he’s done for the team. “
