NEW DELHI:
Neil Wagner
, the seasoned New Zealand
pace bowler
, has decided to bid farewell to his illustrious Test career, culminating a remarkable journey that saw him emerge as one of the nation's most prolific wicket-takers.
Wagner's decision comes ahead of the two-Test series against Australia, marking the end of a distinguished tenure that spanned 64 Tests and yielded 260 wickets, placing him fifth on the list of New Zealand's highest wicket-takers.
The 37-year-old, who hails from South Africa, expressed his emotions regarding his
retirement
, acknowledging the difficulty of stepping away from a sport to which he has dedicated so much of himself.
"It’s been an emotional week," Wagner remarked on Tuesday. "It’s not easy to step away from something you’ve given so much to and got so much out of, but it’s now time for others to step up and take this team forward."
Renowned for his fiery temperament and adept swing bowling, Wagner played a pivotal role in New Zealand's ascent to the summit of world cricket, contributing significantly to their attainment of the number one Test ranking and their historic triumph in the inaugural World Test Championship in 2021.
With an impressive bowling average of 27.57 runs and a strike rate of 52, Wagner leaves behind a legacy that rivals the greats of
New Zealand
cricket, with only
Richard Hadlee
boasting a superior strike rate among Kiwi bowlers who have claimed more than 100 Test wickets.
Wagner made his retirement announcement at a press conference alongside New Zealand's head coach and selector,
Gary Stead
, at the iconic Basin Reserve in Wellington.
Despite opting to step away from the longest format of the game, Wagner affirmed his commitment to continuing his career in first-class cricket.
"They sometimes say when you think about retirement, you're screwed in a way," Wagner reflected. "I thought it was the right time to step down and let the other guys come in and do what we've been doing as a group for a number of years and obviously grow that attack."
Acknowledging the emotional journey of retirement, Wagner emphasized the importance of passing the baton to the next generation of players and ensuring the continued success of New Zealand cricket.
"It's never easy. It's an emotional road. It's a big roller coaster, but it's ... the time 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."
(With inputs from Reuters)
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