2024-02-29 09:55:41
New Zealand pacer Neil Wagner bids farewell to international cricket. He announced this decision on Tuesday. Even if he does not play international cricket, he will continue to play domestic cricket in New Zealand or abroad.
He played 64 Tests in 12 years for New Zealand. Won the title of the first edition of the ICC World Test Championship. He took 260 wickets in 64 Tests. Which is the fifth highest in the country’s Test cricket history. His strike rate was 52.7. Which is better than the legendary Sir Richard Hadley.
Announcing his retirement, Wagner wrote, ‘It’s not easy to say goodbye to the thing you’ve worked the hardest for, the thing you’ve gotten the most from. It is not easy to get away from it. But I feel that others should come forward to take the team forward. should take responsibility.’
‘I have thoroughly enjoyed every moment of every Test match I have played for the Black Caps. And I am proud of what we have achieved as a team. I would like to thank everyone involved for helping me get to where I am today. I have always tried to give my best to my teammates, whom I consider to be my world. Especially for teams. Hopefully I can leave my legacy.’
‘I would like to thank my wife Lana for all her support and help. That helped me become the person I am today. I also want to give special thanks to her for her tireless work and sacrifices in bringing and raising my two daughters Olivia and Jahli and my youngest son Josh into this world.’
Maybe Wagner wanted to play a little longer. He was also in the Test series team against Australia at home. But the 37-year-old pacer was informed that he will not be in the playing XI for the first Test against Australia. That will start from Thursday in Wellington. He then decided to retire. He will be dropped from the Test squad after announcing his retirement.
Wagner was born in South Africa. He left Africa and migrated to New Zealand in 2008. Started playing domestic cricket for Otago in Dunedin. Then in 2018 he moved to Papamoa. Represented Northern Districts there. However, he made his Test debut against West Indies in 2012. He bowled his career best against them five years later (7 for 39).