Wags retires
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A thread in honour of his retirement and achievements, so that it doesn't get lost in the general cricket threads:
An emotional Wagner has teared up thanking the Black Caps management and the fans, who he ''can't thank enough''. South African born Wagner says "You made me feel like a Kiwi". Also full of praise for his supportive family and wife Lana, who have been massive in helping him fulfill his cricket dream.
He says being a Black Caps has been "huge". It has made him the person he is today. It's been a "bloody awesome ride" to be a part of it. Wagner finishes as New Zealand's fifth top test wicket taker in history (260 wickets).
Wagner gets an ovation as he leaves the media session from the journalists and photographers present. A lovely touch that for one of the true nice guys of New Zealand Cricket.
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What does he mean feel like a Kiwi? He is a Kiwi, he's one of us. I'll always loves Wags, such an understated part of our GOAT bowling attack. Like the postman he rarely failed to deliver I'm his prime. Bowled his guts out with the old ball on unhelpful wickets, just an absolute workhorse
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@KiwiPie said in Wags retires:
Would be interested in how many of his 260 wickets were from a short delivery.
Two years ago it was 46%
Neil Wagner, short, relentless and ruthless -
With Wags in the team our attack had a relentlessness about it, a hallmark of most great cricket teams. In the golden cycle that culminated in us winning the inaugural WTC, we had Southee and Boult, and Kylo who all excelled with the new ball. Then just when the batsmen had seen those three off Wags came on, all rage and menace, making you worry for your personal safety. But by then he had added other weapons to his bowling arsenal. The guy seemed to make the most of his ability, and never gave up
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@Virgil said in Wags retires:
> Very sad, one of our best and with Southee and Boult formed our best ever bowling trio (queue arguments)Must have been given the tough news he wouldn't be selected vs Australia.
No arguments here. Wags was an absolute champ and we never had a duo, let alone a trio, who were that good for that long. He was a massive part of that. Terrific record, at his best one of the top bowlers of his generation, always awkward and aggressive and with a terrific attitude.
Universally adored on the fern. Says it all #lovewags
However, definitely the right time to go.
Thanks for your amazing service Wags and good luck for whatever the future holds.
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@Gunner said in Wags retires:
Neil Wagner, the epitome of a humble, roll your sleeves up, hard working, kiwi bloke.
> Shit I’ll miss watching him play!
Was always gonna happen. With Boult extremely unlikely to play another test, Jamieson injured and Southee not likely to go on for much longer the era is well and truly gone.
No pressure Will O’Rourke !
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@canefan said in Wags retires:
What does he mean feel like a Kiwi? He is a Kiwi, he's one of us. I'll always loves Wags, such an understated part of our GOAT bowling attack. Like the postman he rarely failed to deliver I'm his prime. Bowled his guts out with the old ball on unhelpful wickets, just an absolute workhorse
Um, these are his words, not some sad journalists.
He's obviously a true blue South African underneath the skin, but is saying that the way he's been treated & welcomed, makes him feel like a Kiwi. It's the same way I'll feel when England comes a calling for me to represent them at ... ummm ... errr ...
It's a very complimentary thing to say. And yes, it's a two way street as I feel exactly the same as you.
What an innings.
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Unfortunately there isn't the graphic in the online article below but of the NZ bowlers who have taken more than 100 test wickets Wags has the second-best strike rate (52.78) behind Hadlee.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350194223/black-caps-bowler-neil-wagners-fire-burnt-brightly-till-end
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Steve Smith:
Former Australia captain believes the persistent bowling of bouncers to a leg side field needs to be addressed.
Smith would like to see umpires given greater power to call wides.
The 34-year-old pays tribute to his retiring nemesis Neil Wagner.also
Wagner will be missed, his figures against Smith — 4-27 off 26.3 overs — suggest a genuine edge for the ex-Kiwi quick over his illustrious rival. -
Would probably sneak into the Albion Cricket Club (Dunedin) all time XI, I guess.
Might have to open the bowling with Sneds though, as we're spinner-heavy (Mark Craig, John Bracwell, Nathan McCullum)
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For me a lot of the appeal about Wags was that he didn't seem to have the highest amount of natural talent that a bowler could have but he threw himself 110% into the fray with a heart and passion that would overwhelm much "finer" batsmen and get results surpassing those of "better" bowlers.
You could see that on the pitch he absolutely gave it his all and as a fan that's all you ask of the people in your team.
Yes he had a style of bowling that some people may say was grubby, he would irritate and intimidate batsmen till they lashed out in frustration, anger or fear and that probably generated more of his wickets than line, length, swing or seam.
But to give him credit he had a style that he stuck to, executed well and got NZ crucial wickets bowling with a dead ball at times in the innings where it would be easy for the batting team to run away with it. And at the times the NZ bowlers had the edge he would provide relentless pressure to ensure the advantage didn't slip.
I loved the guys work rate, effort and passion. He deserves as much as anyone to be in that golden period of NZ test match cricket. Well played Wags, enjoy your retirement.
