New Zealand pacer Neil Wagner announces retirement from Tests; key statistics | News – Business standard

New Zealand pacer Neil Wagner announced his retirement from Test cricket on Tuesday after being told he will not be selected for the Australia Test series, which starts in Wellington on February 29. However, Wagner would continue to play First Class Cricket.

Speaking to media persons, Wagner said: “I knew the time was near. They sometimes say that if you think about retirement, you’re screwed in a way. I knew the time would come, and it would be close. In the last week, reflecting and looking to the future, looking at the Test matches to come, 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 team. group for a few years and grow that offense.”

“It’s never easy. It’s an emotional road. It’s a big rollercoaster. But it’s something that I feel like it’s time to come in and pass that baton and leave Black Cap in a good place so that the rest can take over and hopefully continue to grow their legacy.”

Wagner Test cricket statistics

Wagner hung up his boots after 64 tests for New Zealand, an adopted country when he moved from South Africa. In his stellar Test career, Wagner took 260 wickets at an average of 27.57 and a strike rate of 52.7, which is the second best after Sir Richard Hadlee among Kiwi bowlers.

Wagner made his Test debut on July 25, 2012 against West Indies. He took only wicket in that match.

The Hamilton Test against South Africa on February 16, 2024 was Wagner’s final Test.

First print: February 27, 2024 | 8:45 am IST