Wagner aims short for big haul
A short-ball barrage was the key to Neil Wagner picking up figures of 6-41 on the opening day of the first test between the Black Caps and Zimbabwe.
‘‘It’s a tactic of mine and one of my strengths,’’ he said.
‘‘It’s more just an option to get players off the front foot and create opportunities, trying to see if we could get a wicket or get some doubt in their footwork and try and get a nick when you’re pitching it up. With the wicket being flat, you have to try some options to create results and luckily it worked.’’
It is the second time Wagner has improved his career-best figures in as many matches, after he picked up six for 106 against Australia in Christchurch in February – where he also used the short-ball strategy to good effect.
Before those two matches, he hadn’t picked up five wickets in innings since the Black Caps’ tour of Bangladesh in October 2013, where he took 5-64.
‘‘Getting career best figures is obviously a nice moment, but just to get the opportunity to play test cricket and hopefully get a result is really pleasing,’’ said Wagner.
The 30-year-old quick did most of his damage in a spell after lunch, picking up three wickets in one over to secure the third fivewicket bag of his 20-test career.
Zimbabwe were 72-8 at that stage, but an 85-run partnership between Prince Masvaure and Donald Tripano helped them limp through to 164 before being dismissed.
Wagner was chosen as the third seamer for this test ahead of Doug Bracewell and Matt Henry and said having plenty of competition for places was a good thing.
‘‘We’re a pretty close bunch of lads and that’s why our team spirit is what it is – whoever’s there on the day has to put their hand up and deal with the conditions and give their best for the team.’’