Finch says New Zealand could have used Wagner in Wellington where Australia pulled ahead thanks to a century 10th wicket partnership
ESPNcricinfo staff05-Mar-20242:04
Taylor on Wagner: ‘I think it’s a forced retirement’
New Zealand fast bowler Neil Wagner announced his retirement after learning that he would not be part of the ongoing Test series against Australia and his former team-mate Ross Taylor feels the decision was “forced”.Responding to a question on ESPN’s Around The Wicket podcast about Wagner’s finger-on-the-mouth celebration after dismissing Zubayr Hamza in his final Test appearance, against South Africa in Hamilton, and a visual of him showing someone the middle finger as the team got in a huddle to celebrate another wicket, Taylor said, “I think it all makes sense a little bit now. There’s no sugarcoating it: I think it’s a forced retirement. If you listen to Wagner’s press conference, he was retiring, but it was after this last Test match [against Australia]. So he did make himself available.”Related
Williamson dead bats Taylor's comments on Wagner – 'I don't think anybody is forced to retire'
Southee leaves door ajar for shock Wagner recall amid O'Rourke doubt
Neil Wagner retires from international cricket
He's weird, he's wonderful, he's Wagner
Sears called up for O'Rourke, Conway to miss start of IPL due to thumb surgery
Wagner was to be released from the squad after the first Test in Wellington. But an injury to William O’Rourke sparked talk of a potential recall for the second Test in Christchurch. New Zealand haven’t gone down that road though, picking the uncapped fast bowler Ben Sears instead.”And to see that he isn’t selected… I think you do need to plan for the future, but a one-off Test against Australia in a must-win situation, I wouldn’t be looking much further than Neil Wagner. And I’m sure the Australian batters are sleeping easy that he’s not in the side,” Taylor said.Aaron Finch, also on the podcast, said Wagner would have likely stopped Australia from posting as big a total as they did in their first innings at the Basin Reserve, which laid down the platform for their 172-run win.