Neil Wagner, the fiery fast bowler from New Zealand, has announced his retirement from international cricket after being left out of the team for the first Test against Australia. Wagner, known for his short-ball expertise, fought back tears as he spoke to reporters, marking the end of his 64-Test career. The 37-year-old has taken 260 Test wickets and expressed that representing the Black Caps has been some of the proudest moments of his life.
Wagner’s retirement decision comes after New Zealand Cricket revealed that he would not be part of the playing XI for the upcoming Test match in Wellington. Despite the emotional farewell, Wagner mentioned that he is looking forward to spending one final week in the squad and will contribute to preparing and supporting the team before leaving ahead of the second Test in Christchurch.
The veteran bowler highlighted some of the significant moments in his career, including the one-run victory over England in Wellington last year, where he took the last wicket to draw the series. Another career highlight for Wagner was winning the inaugural World Test Championship in 2021. As he bids farewell to international cricket, Wagner leaves behind a legacy as a key contributor to New Zealand’s bowling attack and memorable performances in Test cricket.
