New Zealand pacer Neil Wagner announces retirement from international cricket

New Zealand star cricketer Neil Wagner announced his international retirement from cricket on February 27. Notably, the left-arm pacer took this step after selectors denied him a spot in the squad for the next two matches of the Test series against Australia. Notably, the star cricketer has played 64 Test matches and gone on to scalp 260 wickets with the best figures of 7/39 as well as a nine-five-wicket haul to his name.

However, Neil Wagner reveals that his time has finally come to retire from Test cricket. The star bowler also talks about his career, which is nothing less than an emotional and rollercoaster. In addition, the left-arm pacer feels that his time has come to an end, and he will pass the Black Caps to youngsters to continue the game for his national side.

“I knew the time was coming near. It’s never easy. 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,” Neil Wagner said.

I think it’s a very nice way for the team: Neil Wagner

Neil Wagner reveals that he was called to attend the first Test match against Australia despite not being picked in the squad. Moreover, the Pretoria-born cricketer feels that the side has shown a great gesture by inviting him to celebrate the special time with his side.

“I wasn’t going to be down here. I think it’s a very nice way for the team… they invited me to come down here and spend this time with them to celebrate it but also help them prepare for the series to get stuck in against Australia and it was a really nice, kind gesture. That’s just who I am. And it’s a pretty nice gesture and I’m really, extremely grateful to be here and that the team and everyone and Gary has asked me to do this,” he added further.