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Former New Zealand star batter Ross Taylor has implied that fast bowler Neil Wagner's retirement may have been compelled, indicating potential discord within the Kiwi camp.
Wagner informed that he wouldn't feature in the playing XI for the series against Australia and declared his retirement during an emotional press conference before the first Test commenced.
Despite his retirement announcement, the 37-year-old Wagner did make appearances on the field during the first Test as a substitute fielder and occasionally served as a drinks carrier.
It's a forced retirement: Taylor
"I think it all makes sense a little bit now. There's no sugarcoating it. I think it's a forced retirement. If you listen to Wagner's press conference, he was retiring, but it was after this last Test match. So he did make himself available," Taylor said while speaking on ESPN's Around the Wicket podcast.
"And to see that he isn't selected … I think I do like and you do need to plan for the future, but a one-off Test against Australia in a must-win situation, I wouldn't be looking much further than Neil Wagner. And I'm sure the Australian batters are sleeping easy that he’s not in the side," Taylor added.
Wagner announces his retirement
Last week, Wagner announced the end of his 64-Test career, concluding as the country's fifth-highest wicket-taker with 260 victims.
Although Wagner was included in the squad for the two home Tests against Pat Cummins's Australia, head coach Gary Stead informed him that he would not participate in either match.
He struggled to hold back tears as he announced his retirement from international cricket alongside Stead.
Hailing from Pretoria, South Africa, Wagner relocated to New Zealand in 2008 and played a crucial role in his adopted country's ascent to the top of the world rankings, culminating in the inaugural World Test Championship (WTC) title victory in 2021.
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