‘There is no sugercoating it’ – Ross Taylor on Neil Wagner’s ‘forced’ retirement

Neil Wagner and Ross Taylor. (Photo Source: X(Twitter)

The retirement of New Zealand pacer Neil Wagner from Test cricket has sparked a controversy, with former New Zealand captain Ross Taylor raising eyebrows over the veteran bowler’s abrupt retirement from Test cricket. He labelled it as a “forced” decision and hinted at potential unrest within the Kiwi camp. 

Wagner is New Zealand’s fifth-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket and announced his retirement before the start of the first Test against Australia. The 37-year-old was informed that he wouldn’t be a part of the first-choice XI for the series, prompting his decision to call it quits. However, he did take the field as a substitute fielder and ran the drinks during the first Test.

Also read: Pat Cummins takes cheeky dig at Neil Wagner

I couldn’t believe Neil Wagner wasn’t in the XI: Ross Taylor

Speaking on ESPN’s Around the Wicket podcast, Former Australian skipper Aaron Finch expressed disbelief at Wagner’s exclusion from the playing XI, particularly given his past success against Australia’s key batsmen. He emphasized the impact Wagner’s presence could have had on the outcome of the game, especially considering the pivotal 10th-wicket partnership between Hazlewood and Green.

“I couldn’t believe Neil Wagner wasn’t in the XI, I just genuinely thought that he must have been out through a niggle. The success he’s had against Australia, particularly Steve Smith over some time, you can guarantee that the last wicket partnership wouldn’t have happened if Wagner was there,” he said.

“Because he would have intimidated Josh Hazlewood at least. He might have stopped Cameron Green from scoring as well. I thought that was a really interesting decision,” he added.

Taylor, who retired from international cricket in 2022, believes that Wagner’s retirement was not entirely voluntary. On the same show, he said

“Experience plays a lot, but no, I agree with Finchy. If he comes around the wicket to Hazlewood, he might have got him away for a couple of boundaries or even a six. But I think for the prolonged time he would have attacked him for, I don’t think they would have got a 100-run partnership.”

“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. So he did make himself available,” the veteran added.

Also read: Tim Southee hints at possible return of Neil Wagner for Christchurch Test

Furthermore, Wagner’s on-field behaviour during the South Africa series, as noted by host Neroli Meadows, adds to the intrigue surrounding his retirement. 

Finch also made a funny remark stating, “About time that there’s more unrest in the Kiwi camp. For so long they’ve been poking fun at us because there’s always a little bit going on behind the scenes in Australian cricket. It’s great to see.”  To this comment, Taylor was seen laughing.