Tim Southee hints retired Neil Wagner might play in second test vs Australia

Neil Wagner retired from international cricket after playing 64 tests for New Zealand.

New Zealand captain Tim Southee has hinted at a comeback for recently retired fast bowler Neil Wagner in the second test against Australia. This comes after the side suffered a heavy defeat in the first test in Wellington on 3rd March.

Neil Wagner, known for his aggressive pace and tireless work-ethic, announced his retirement from international cricket just before the first test. However, with Will O’Rourke picking up an injury during the first match against Australia, Blackcaps skipper Tim Southee has suggested that the door might not be completely shut for the veteran bowler.

Before the two-match test series against Australia, veteran fast bowler Neil Wagner announced his retirement from international cricket on February 27th. The 37-year-old said that the decision to retire was not an easy one, but he feels that it’s the right time to move on.

Neil Wagner played 64 test matches and finished his career as New Zealand’s fifth-highest test wicket-taker with 260 wickets at an average of 27. Wagner was the main member of New Zealand’s team that won the inaugural edition of the World Test Championship (2019-2021).

He’s been a fan-favourite for a long time: Tim Southee on Neil Wagner

After losing the first test match against Australia, New Zealand’s captain Tim Southee said that he observed how good a reception Neil Wagner got in Wellington and he expects an update on young fast bowler O’Rourke soon.

O’Rourke left the field after bowling only five balls into the eighth over on Day 3 due to tightness in his left hamstring. While the right-arm speedster was able to bat with some difficulty on Day 4, he did not return to the field until then.

“We haven’t had a lot of discussions as yet. We’ll see how Will scrubs up. The physio hasn’t sort of put a timeframe on it or how bad it is. We’ll just wait and see how Will goes over the next couple of days. I’m sure there’ll be an update in the next 24 hours. [Wagner’s] had a great reception here over the last week where he got a couple of moments on the field and obviously he’s been a fan-favourite for a long time,” New Zealand skipper Tim Southee was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

Australia’s spin wizard Nathan Lyon dashed New Zealand’s hopes early on the fourth day by taking 10 wickets in the match, helping the visitors claim a 172-run victory in the first test at the Basin Reserve. Lyon was Australia’s match-winner once again, finishing with 6-65 and match figures of 10-108 on a surface that turned and bounced sharply.

For more updates, follow Khel Now Cricket on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.