New Zealand Pacer Neil Wagner Announced Retirement

New Zealand pacer Neil Wagner announced his retirement from test cricket just before the New Zealand side decided it would not pick him in the upcoming series against Australia.

It was a surprising announcement by the pacer just two days before the match, but it happened due to his conversation with the coach, Gary Stead, who clearly told the 37-year-old bowler that they are not looking for any future possibility of Wagner being in the playing 11.

Wagner played 64 test matches for the Kiwis in which he took 260 wickets with an amazing strike rate of 27.57, which is 2nd best for any New Zealand bowler who took more than 100 wickets in test cricket.

Neil was one of the main players in the last series against Australia to get Steven Smith out by bowling a short delivery on his left side to trap him in a plan that was made for only Smith. He also took 17 wickets in that series, which is one of the most by any Kiwi bowler.

64 Tests. Umpteen memorable spells. One Neil Wagner. https://t.co/r4JOlFzZXL
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) February 27, 2024

It’s been an emotional week,
It’s not easy to step away from something you’ve given so much to and got so much out of, but it’s now time for others to step up and take this team forward.
“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.”
They sometimes say when you think about retirement, you’re screwed in a way,” he added.
“It’s never easy. It’s 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.”
Wagner Said