New Zealand‘s fast-bowling stalwart, Neil Wagner, has decided to bring the curtains down on his ill?ustrious international career, officially announcing his retirement from Test cricket.

Wagner’s departure marked the conclusion of a remarkable 64-Test journey with the Blackcaps. The left-arm pacer played a pivotal role in New Zealand’s Test squad, contributing significantly to their ascent to the No.1 position in Test cricket and their triumphant campaign in the World Test Championship (WTC).

Neil Wagner’s remarkable career statistics

At the age of 37, Wagner left behind a legacy that includes being the fifth-highest wicket-taker in the history of New Zealand Test cricket. His impressive record boasted 260 wickets at an average of 27.57, coupled with an outstanding strike rate of 52.7. Wagner’s lion-hearted performances made him a linchpin in the Blackcaps’ bowling attack, earning respect and admiration from cricket enthusiasts worldwide.

Emotional decision and departure from the New Zealand squad

The decision to retire came after an emotional conversation between Wagner and coach Gary Stead. It became apparent that Wagner was not part of New Zealand’s top XI for the upcoming Test series against Australia, prompting the veteran pacer to make the difficult choice. Despite being named in the squad, Wagner won’t feature in the starting XI for the first Test in Wellington and is set to be released before the second game in Christchurch.

“It’s been an emotional week. It’s not easy to step away from something you’ve given so much to and got so much out of, but it’s now time for others to step up and take this team forward. I’ve enjoyed every single moment of playing Test cricket for the Black Caps and am proud of everything we’ve been able to achieve as a team. The friendships and bonds built over my career are what I’ll cherish the most and I want to thank everyone who’s played a part in where I am today,” Wagner was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

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Legacy of a champion

As Wagner bids farewell, the cricketing fans acknowledges his incredible contributions to New Zealand cricket. Over his 12-year Test career, Wagner exhibited resilience, determination, and a never-say-die attitude. His departure left a void in the Blackcaps’ bowling arsenal, and the cricketing world will fondly remember him as one of the most dedicated and impactful bowlers, with his indomitable spirit leaving an indelible mark on the history of New Zealand Test cricket

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

Neil Wagner! Indomitabl??e spirit. The first time I saw him was in the Champions League in some 2009-10 for Otago. He bustled into the crease and had an impressive attitude. Trademark pacer from SA. Oh! Those memories of him removing Smith with s?hort deliveries in 19-20.

— Bharath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12) February 27, 2024

Neil Wagner’s retirement news hu?rts more and more every passing min??ute.

To even think we’ll never have someone pour his entire soul into the game for us�???this news is de?finitely bigger than the reactions so far.

For me, it is earth shattering.

— stuart broad apologist 🇵🇸 (@cricketpun_duh) February 27, 2024

There will never be another Neil Wagner. The Ultimate Warrior of New Zealand cricket. And only apt that his last act as an international cricketer was trying to bounce out NZ Prime Minister Chris Luxon in his own backyard #NZvAus

— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) February 27, 2024

Neil ??Wagner has announced his retirement ??from Test cricket.

Wagner was a captain's dream. Would run in tirelessly all day no matter how flat the conditions were.

Finishes with 260 Test wickets at 27.57 and 821 First Class wickets at 27.16. A fine career.👏#NZvAUS

— CricBlog �?(@cric_blog) February 27, 2024

Filmed ??a feature on Neil Wagner a few years back where I played some of his wicket celebrations back to him.

It was like an out-of-body experience for him. He was al?most mortified at him?self.

One of the kindest athletes y??ou’d hope to meet. But if a wicket’s at stake�?oh boy.

— Randall Munro (@randallmunro) February 27, 2024

Have seen only few left arm bowlers able to effortlessly nail the difficult art of bowling bouncers from around the wicket to left handers, the angle looks very weird but Neil Wagner used to do it with no fuss. One of the finest in ?whites, will be missed for long time.

— Gaurav (@brightkknight) February 27, 2024

#NeilWagner called time on his illustrious 64-Test career for the #BLACKCAPS and will bow out following the Tegel Test series against?? Australia, starting in Wellington on Thursday.

Wagner will not be in the starting XI for the first Test at the Cello Basin Reserve and will be�?/p>

— Rajesh Khilare (@Cricrajeshpk) February 27, 2024

Neil Wagner has played 205 first-c?lass games which is a tally NZ players may find ??hard to match in the future, even with county stints. Of current players Williamson (166) is next. Taylor 192, Watling 178 of other recent players.

— Francis Payne (@FPayne100) February 27, 2024

Neil Wagner – one of NZ's greatest bowlers, and without question, a great of the Test match game…
260 wickets at 27/53
Part of one of Test cricket's most formidable attacks.
World Champion
Founder member of NZ's greatest Test team yet.

— cricketingview (@cricketingview) February 27, 2024

What heartbreaking news to wake up to. We won't see Neil Wagner running in whites ever again

— Prithvi (@Puneite_) February 27, 2024

Neil Wagner's retirement marks the end of an era for New Zealand cricket. He's been a true workhorse and a stalwart for the team…

— Subhash Choudhary (@subhash92) February 27, 2024

Whole-hearted, talented and a key part of NZ c?ricket’s golden age�?I know I’ll miss Neil Wagner.

The kind of player you love to have on your s??ide and probably hate to come up aga?inst.

Thanks for the memories Wags. #thankswags @BLACKCAPS

— Ed Jackson (@edjacko) February 27, 2024

My teammates have always meant the world to me and all I’ve ever wanted to do was what was best for the team – I hope that’s the legacy I will leave, says Neil Wagner as he retires#CricketTwitter #AusvNZ

— Anuj Mishra (@anujmishra003) February 27, 2024

Whenever Neil Wagne??r stepped over that white line with a? silver fern on his chest, I have to admit, I loved him with my whole heart.

— Thee Jamie Bell (@JamieBellNZ) February 27, 2024

Neil Wagner has always been one of my favourites. His passion, determination and dedication to test cricket and NZ had me glued to my screen. One?? of the best, in my opinion. Thank you, Wags. End of an era.

— Lily Franklin (@lilyffranklin13) February 27, 2024

That fact ??Neil Wagner pl??ayed from 2012 until 2024 and only played 64 Tests is a true crime!

Meanwhile here’s the Top 5 players and Tests played�?br />A. Cook – 135
J. Anderson – 127
S. Broad – 123
J. Root – 108
V. Kohli – 105

Imagine his record if we got to play more Tests�?pic.twitter.com/rQWugryWYc

— The ACC (@TheACCnz) February 27, 2024

In his early days in the Black Caps, I thought Neil Wagner was going to be a reliable, hard-working third seamer. I never imagined he’d become a world-class strike bowler. But for two or three years h?e was our best test bowler and one of the top test wicket-takers in the world!

— Daniel Jackson (@danielneljack) February 27, 2024

If there's one bowler I would never, ever want to face – it would be Neil Wagner. Miss me with repetitive bouncers and the angriest face in test cricket.
Such a pleasure having him do his thing for New Zealand, and constantly coming up trumps with his bowling.
Legend!

— Stephen Gallagher (@SWTGallagher) February 27, 2024

Neil Wagner has retired from international cricket, effective immediat?el??y

The man that bowled with passion and pace, and wore his heart o??n his sleeve

☹️#cricket pic.twitter.com/Cxhk4etvwA

— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA) February 27, 2024

Also READ: Cricket Australia announces strong 14-man squad for New Zealand Test series; Michael ?Neser ?returns

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New Zealand are poised for a challenging two-match Test series against South Africa, scheduled to commence on February 4 and extend until February 17. However, a cloud of uncertainty looms over the Blackcaps side due to a significant injury concern involving senior batter Kane Williamson.

Gary Stead’s statement about Kane Williamson

The prolific batter suffered an injury setback during the Pakistan T20Is, leading to his exclusion from the latter part of the series. Nevertheless, New Zealand’s head coach, Gary Stead, exudes confidence in Williamson’s swift recovery, describing the injury as ‘minor.’ The Blackcaps strategically rested him to mitigate any potential aggravation, expressing optimism about his fitness for the series opener at Mt. Maunganui against South Africa.

“I’m confident he will be alright. He’s probably got another day or two before he starts back into training and it was a minor niggle, which is a good thing. So, we didn’t want to aggravate it and didn’t see the point of aggravating it with the important series that are ahead. He’s obviously a key player and we know that and we want to make sure we’ve given him every chance of being available,” Stead was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

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Williamson’s injury woes

Kane Williamson, the former Test captain, has grappled with persistent injury problems over the last 10 months, notably rupturing an anterior cruciate ligament in the opening game of Indian Premier League (IPL 2023). In response, New Zealand’s astute team management has adopted a prudent and conservative approach to Williamson’s selection for various assignments. This meticulous strategy stems from a keen focus on managing the star player’s workload, ensuring his sustained fitness over the long term.

New Zealand’s quest for a maiden Test series victory over South Africa

As New Zealand braces for this Test series, the historical con??text adds an extra layer of significance. The Kiwis have never clinched a Test series victory against South Africa, adding to the intrigue of the upcoming cricketing battle. Gary Stead emphasized  the need for cautious preparation and acknowledges the challenge posed by the Proteas.

“I can assure you one thing with South Africa – the team they bring here will still have experience and they will be hardened guys who have played quite a bit of first-class cricket. They will have a point to prove as well – ‘Hey! we should be here’ – and I think that makes them as dangerous as having a full side here. So, we certainly won’t be taking them lightly. We have never beaten them in a Test series ever, so that’s our challenge in front of us,” the 52-year-old concluded.

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New Zealand‘s regular captain, Kane Williamson, has been ruled out of the team’s second fixture in the ODI World Cup 2023 against the Netherlands due to a persistent knee injury. This extends his absence, as he was also unavailable for the opening fixture against England.

The 33-year-old initially sustained this injury during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023, sidelining him for a significant portion of New Zealand’s games leading up to the 2023 World Cup. Despite these setbacks, Williamson showed promising form in the two World Cup warm-up matches, contributing scores of 37 and an unbeaten 54* against South Africa and Pakistan, respectively.

Gary Stead’s update on Kane Williamson’s participation

New Zealand’s head coach, Gary Stead, has provided an update on the exclusion of Williamson for the upcoming game against the Netherlands in Hyderabad. Stead also strongly hinted about the inclusion of bowlers Lockie Ferguson and Tim Southee??, both of whom were rested during the England clash.

“Kane’s also been progressing very well. I think the fielding is still the element for him that he’s just got to get a little bit higher and get a little more trust in his body. But he is progressing really well and we are pretty confident he will be playing the third match for us. We have got another training to get through today so we will finalize the team once we have got through that training,” Stead was quoted as saying by the ICC.

“Lockie Ferguson got through training really well so providing he is scrubbed up okay this morning, he will be available for this next game. Tim Southee also got through the training really well. It was great to see him back at the bowling crease and also doing a little bit of fielding as well,” Stead concluded.

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Rachin Ravindra’s stellar ODI World Cup debut

In the absence of Williamson, Blackcaps introduced Rachin Ravindra to the O??DI World Cup stage in the game against England. Ravindra made ?an impressive debut, achieving the distinction of scoring the fastest World Cup century for New Zealand. He concluded his innings unbeaten with a remarkable 123 runs off 96 balls, earning him the well-deserved title of Player of the Match.

Ravindra’s stellar performance, in partnership with Devon Conway‘s outstanding 152 not out, resulted in a dominant 274-run stand that dismantled England’s bowling attack. This partnership led New Zealand to a convincing nine-wicket victory in Ahmedabad, as they comfortably chased down the target of 284 with nine wickets in hand.

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New Zealand’s star batter, Kane Williamson, is poised to be included in the ODI World Cup 2023 squad, although his availabilit??y for the tournament remai??ns uncertain.

Kane Williamson’s injury and subsequent events

Williamson suffered a knee injury on March 31 while fielding for Gujarat Titans (GT) during the opening Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 match against Chennai Super Kings (CSK). His injury occurred as he leaped near the boundary in an attempt to catch a ball destined for six, resulting in an awkward landing on his right leg, prompting an immediate grasp of his knee. As a consequence, the 33-year-old returned to New Zealand and underwent surgery in June. Since his surgery, Williamson has undergone rehabilitation and missed Blackcaps’s international season. He was notably absent from the Kiwi squads for the ODI and T20I series against England.

Gary Stead garnered praise for Williamson’s dedication

However, in the latest update, Gary Stead, the New Zealand head coach, has affirmed Williamson’s eligibility for selection. Stead commended the skipper’s unwavering commitment during the rehabilitation process.

“Kane has applied phenomenal dedication to his rehabilitation and has been supported by a strong group of experts around him. He’s left no stone unturned in trying to get back playing cricket at the highest level. We are delighted to be in a place to select him,” Stead was quoted as saying by the ICC.

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Stead confident about Kane’s comeback but cautious about rushing it

Stead also underscored the importance of prudently monitoring Williamson’s recovery and avoiding any haste in his return, given the World Cup’s extended duration.

“At the same time, he’s also kept perspective about his recovery and hasn’t wanted to rush or force his way back too early. As we’ve previously said, it’s great he wants to play cricket for New Zealand in the long term,” the 51-year-old added.

“As we’ve said throughout this process we want to give Kane every bit of available time to aid his recovery. The World Cup is not a short tournament and we will continue to monitor his progress over the next month ahead of the first tournament match,” Stead concluded.

In the 2019 global showpiece event, Williamson was a standout performer, amassing 578 runs in nine innings and playing a pivotal role as both captain and batter in steering his team to the final. Additionally, the Tauranga-born cricketer played a significant role in his team’s journey to the final in the 2015 edition of the ODI World Cup held in Australia and New Zealand.

The upcoming World Cup is scheduled to kick off with a showdown between New Zealand and En?gland, the finalists from the previous edition, on October 5, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, India.

New Zealand will announce their 15-member CWC squad ?on September 11.

Also READ: New Zealand’s ODI captain Kane Williamson gives update about his injury status

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New Zealand’s head coach, Gary Stead, has shed light on the possibility of Kane Williamson‘s participation in the upcoming ODI World Cup 2023. Despite a prolonged absence due to a knee injury, the New Zealand camp remain hopeful that the captain will make a comeback for the prestigious tournament. Stead revealed that Williamson will be granted a two-week window to demonstrate his fitness and form.

Notably, Williamson has been sidelined from competitive cricket for nearly five months after sustaining a knee injury during the opening match of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023, where he represented the Gujarat Titans (GT). Undergoing surgery for a ruptured ACL, Williamson has steadily worked towards recovery and recently returned to training. He spent time with the national squad in preparation for ??the to??ur of England.

Accompanying the New Zealand team to the United Kingdom, Williamson’s presence has been a source of encouragement. In the lead-up to their series against England, New Zea?land engaged in two practice T20 matches against county teams. The team is set to contest a 4-match T20I series from August 30, followed by a 4-match ODI series from September 8 to 15.

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Stead’s Insights on Williamson’s Rehabilitation

Coach Stead addressed the media, detailing the ongoing rehabilitation process for Williamson. He emphasized that Williamson’s return to net practice was a promising sign, but there was still considerable work ahead to ensure he reaches the required level of fitness for international competition.

“We got about two weeks from now, until we until we name that side. We’re going to give them every chance and I guess use that full amount of time he’s in full rehab mode. He’s back batting in the nets again, which is great to see. So he’s progressing really well but again, there’s a lot of work for him still to do to make sure he gets to where we need them to be,” said Stead.

While New Zealand remain hopeful of having their charismatic leader back on the field, Stead acknowledged the possibility that Williamson might not be ready for the initial matches of the World Cup campaign, even if he’s deemed fit and included in the ODI World Cup squad. The delicate balance between expediting his return and ensuring his long-term fitness remains a paramount concern for the team management.

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“There’s a chance that even if Kane was named he may not be available right at the start of the tournament, but he also might be, and he also might not be ready. Yes, of course, we want him at the World Cup. There is that bigger picture in mind though, that we want Kane Williamson fit for the rest of his career. So there’ll be honest conversations that Kane and I will have with each other,”
added Stead

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