Ross Taylor suggests that there may have been pressure from within the New Zealand team that led to Neil Wagner‘s retirement announcement before the upcoming two-Test series against Australia. Taylor also implies a possible connection between Neil Wagner‘s retirement and his controversial gestures, including the viral middle-finger incident and the shush gesture after taking a wicket in the previous series against South Africa.
New Zealand would be aiming for a better performance in the 2nd Test Match against Australia commencing from 8th March 2024 at Christchurch. The Tim Southee led side must play aggressive brand of cricket and stamp their authority against the ICC World Test Champions Australia.
It all makes sense a little bit now- Ross Taylor on Neil Wagner’s retirement
Neil Wagner announced his retirement during a press conference before the first Test, revealing that head coach Gary Stead had informed him he wasn’t part of the team’s plans for the series. The decision to select rookies like Will O’Rourke and Scott Kuggeleijn over Wagner, despite his proven track record, has stirred controversy among fans and supporters of the Blackcaps.
“It all makes sense a little bit now. There’s no sugar coating it – I think it’s a forced retirement. You listen to the Wagner press conference, he was retiring but it was after the last Test match. So he did make himself available. I think anytime… it’s not only about his experience and how he goes about it [but also about] the opposition. Cummins talked about the plans they had for him too,” said Ross Taylor while having conversation with ESPN
Wagner received a warm reception from fans as he made a fielding appearance as a substitute in the first Test. Tim Southee hinted at Wagner potentially playing in the second game to replace the injured O’Rourke. However, coach Stead later clarified that Wagner had already been given a farewell, and the team opted to include Ben Sears instead.
“And to see that he isn’t selected, they have gone with Sears. I do like him, you do need to plan for the future But a one-off match against Australia in a much-win situation, I wouldn’t be looking much further than Neil Wagner. And I am sure the Australian batters are sleeping easy that he’s not on the other side,” he stated.
Aaron Finch, who was also present during the discussion, jokingly remarked that it was “about time” there was some unrest in the Kiwi camp, perhaps alluding to the longstanding controversies that have often surrounded Australian cricket.
He might have stopped Cameron Green from scoring- Aaron Finch on Neil Wagner’s snub from the 1st Test
New Zealand suffered a 172-run defeat in the first Test against Australia. A pivotal moment in the match was the 116-run partnership between Cameron Green and Josh Hazlewood for the final wicket in the first innings. Ross Taylor and Aaron Finch both suggested that the partnership might not have lasted as long if Neil Wagner, who has a strong record against Australia with 24 wickets at an average of 23.04, had been part of the New Zealand team.
“I couldn’t believe that Neil Wagner wasn’t in the 11.I just genuinely thought that he must have been out through a niggle. The success he has had against Australia, particularly Steve Smith, over a period of time… you can guarantee that that last wicket partnership wouldn’t have happened if Wagner was there because he’d have intimidated Josh Hazlewood, at least,” said Aaron Finch.
“He might have stopped Cameron Green from scoring as well. I thought that was a really interesting decision,”
The second Test between New Zealand and Australia is scheduled to begin on March 8 in Christchurch.
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