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New Zealand's star Neil Wagner has announced his retirement from international cricket with immediate effect. Neil Wagner's retirement announcement came after learning that New Zealand selectors won't consider him in the squad for the upcoming two-Test series against Australia, which is set to start from February 29.
The 37-year-old Wagner made this move after a difficult discussion last week with coach Gary Stead, in which it was made clear he did not feature in New Zealand's top XI for the forthcoming series against Australia. His retirement was announced during a press conference held at Basin Reserve in Wellington on Tuesday, where he was present with Stead, despite being offered a spot in the squad for the first Test.
Wagner retires without a farewell match
Wagner ends his international career after playing 64 Tests for New Zealand, a country he represented after moving from South Africa. He claimed 260 wickets at an average of 27.57 and a remarkable strike rate of 52.7, placing him second only to Sir Richard Hadlee among New Zealand bowlers with over 100 wickets in terms of Test strike rate.
While Wagner is stepping back from the Test scene, he will continue his career in first-class cricket, believing now is the appropriate moment to retire from the international stage.
"I knew the time was coming near," Wagner said in the press conference.
"They sometimes say when you think about retirement, you're screwed in a way. I knew the time was going to come and it was going to come close. In the last week, reflecting and looking into the future, looking at the Test matches that are to come, I thought it was the right time to step down and let the other guys come in and do what we've been doing as a group for a number of years and obviously grow that attack. It's never easy. It's an emotional road. It's a big rollercoaster. But it's something that I feel like the time [has] come 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 forward," he added.
NZ coach breaks the heartbreaking news to Wagner
Following New Zealand's Test series victory against South Africa in Hamilton, which ultimately became Wagner's last Test match, he and coach Gary Stead discussed his role and future in the Test team. Originally, Wagner was not included in the preparations for the series against Australia. However, the team extended an invitation to their key fast bowler to join them for the first Test, despite him not being selected to play.
“I think it's taken a bit of time for Neil just to work out what this means for him as well and it's not retiring from everything. He's still available for domestic cricket, just retiring from international cricket. But they're incredibly tough conversations,” coach Gary Stead said.
Wagner highlighted several standout moments from his Test cricket career, including his debut Test victory against India in 2014, New Zealand's inaugural series win in the West Indies that same year, the triumphant series against England in 2018 where he notably batted for 107 minutes on the final day in Christchurch, the World Test Championship victory against India, and the dramatic one-run win over England last year as his most cherished memories.
"I will never forget walking out to bat with Ish [Sodhi] in that draw at Hagley, it came up on the screen, they were talking about it," Wagner said.
"Mark Richardson mentioned something about 30-odd years and I thought gosh, that's how old I am, since we last won a Test series against England. So that really sparked me up to try and go and do what I did out there. Myself and Ish found a way. That was a pretty special series to be a part of. And then 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," he concluded.
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