Neil Wagner could make quick u-turn to return to international cricket

Neil Wagner is set to make a return to Test cricket. Reports claim that the injury of Will ORouke might force New Zealand to ask Neil to return to cricket. A few days back, Wagner gave a press conference where he confirmed his retirement in the longest format of the game. He claimed that NZ did not consider him in the scheme of things given the emergence of new pacers.

During the press conference, the Kiwi pacer got emotional which had the hearts of the fans from different parts of the world. While many felt that Wagner still had a lot in him to perform for New Zealand at the highest level, others felt that he had his time in Tests and was time for him to allow others to get chances to play for NZ in Tests.

However, the injury of ORouke might force NZ to play Wagner in the 2nd Test. The star pacer has been highly experienced at the highest level. In 64 matches for NZ in Tests, the left-arm pacer has a total of 260 wickets at a bowling average of around 27. These are great stats for a Test bowler, particularly from New Zealand. Among the Kiwi pacers, he is the fifth-highest wicket-taker.

‘I’m sure there’ll be an update in the next 24 hours’ – Tim Southee

Only Daniel Vettori, Richard Hadlee, Trent Boult, and Tim Southee have more wickets for NZ in Tests than Neil. Speaking about the injury of ORouke, Southee claimed that there have not been a lot of discussions about it till now. The New Zealand skipper claimed that the physios have fixed a time to look into the hamstring injury of ORouke.

The decision on Wagner taking part in the 2nd Test could happen in the next few hours. “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 time frame 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,” Southee said.