37-year-old New Zealand pacer Neil Wagner has announced his retirement from international cricket, and broke down during his retirement speech. The fast bowler made this confirmation on Tuesday, two days out from the start of the two-Test home series against Australia.
Neil Wagner made the decision to retire from international cricket after the New Zealand selectors told him he wasn’t going to be picked for the 2-Test series against Pat Cummins’s side.
Born in Pretoria, South Africa, Wagner moved to South Africa in his early 20s. Neil Wagner, who only played Test cricket for New Zealand, earned 64 caps from 2012 to 2024, the last of which was in the recent home series against South Africa.
He snapped 260 wickets at an average of 27.57 with a strike rate of just 52.7. Only Sir Richard Hadlee has a better Test strike rate among New Zealand bowlers, with a minimum of 100 wickets.
In his retirement speech, Wagner cried while thanking the New Zealand supporters for their support in him and for accepting him.
Watch: Neil Wagner cries during retirement speech
Neil Wagner was in tears while announcing his International retirement.
– A legendary career. 🫡pic.twitter.com/94mBn6Tl5z
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 27, 2024
Neil Wagner was a key player in New Zealand winning the WTC 2021 final, defeating India in the final. He included the WTC Final victory as one of the best moments of his carer.
He said, “No doubt obviously the World Test Championship final was something you can never take away. It’s a pretty special moment to take in. And then that last Test here last year will definitely be one in the memory box to stick around for a long time.”
The left-arm fast bowler had the dual ability to reverse-swing the ball and bowl bouncer and short stuff. What stood him out, as perhaps a unique bowler in the world, was his ability to bowl bumpers for overs after overs, spells after spells.
Wagner added, “I’ve said this in the past, I never saw myself as the most talented or most gifted bloke going around in cricket. I just saw myself as someone who loved this game and loved playing for this team, loved playing for my mates and for that Black Cap and I wear my heart on my sleeve. I know that I had to work extremely hard and find different ways and different methods.”
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