Wagner’s changes bring rewards
He’s the guy who bounces opposing batsman out, right? Seam and swing aren’t his bag. He ‘‘runs in hard’’, bowls aggressively and picks up wickets in bunches when pitching short.
Well, that’s not the Neil Wagner who came to this country almost 10 years ago.
The South African import has remarkably changed the way he bowls – and in doing so, has become one of the most prolific bowlers in New Zealand test cricket history.
The 31-year-old has nabbed 127 test scalps in just 31 matches to stand ninth on NZ’s list of wickettakers. He has taken a test wicket every 54 balls – only Sir Richard Hadlee (50.8) and Chris Cairns (53.6) have better strike-rates among Kiwis who have played 10 tests or more. In comparison, Trent Boult’s rate is 58.1, Tim Southee’s 61.8.
Wagner took his 100th wicket in his 25th test – the second-fastest New Zealander to that mark behind the incomparable Hadlee, while Boult and Southee both needed 29 matches to rack up triple figures.
It’s a record that has seen the Otago left-armer progress from always being behind the Northern
Districts duo in the pecking order – and a handful of others besides – to forcing the selectors to ponder him as the most obvious inclusion. For the first test in Dunedin, Southee had to carry the drinks when Boult and Wagner were preferred.
In Hamilton, Wagner took over the senior role for the third test with Southee and Boult injured.
It’s testament to the work ethic, ability and ingenuity of the Pretoria-born Wagner how he’s forced himself to the forefront by changing his game at the highest level.
‘‘When I came over I was an out-and-out swing bowler and bowled the new ball up front,’’ he said.
‘‘But trying to compete with two guys in the team who are among the best in the world at what they do ... I had to find ways to complement them or be able to bowl in partnerships with them.
‘‘I don’t see myself as the most talented or skilful bowler going around – I see myself as someone who works hard.’’
That hard work began in the republic, but a surfeit of gifted quick bowlers restricted Wagner’s progress.
He instead turned to New Zealand – partly courtesy of former All Blacks first-five Andrew Mehrtens.
"I had a bit of love for New Zealand sport – I admired the All Blacks a lot,’’ Wagner said this week.
‘‘I can well remember a day at Afrikaans Boys’ High School when the Crusaders trained there and I remember speaking to Andrew Mehrtens – he was an absolute champion.
‘‘When it got to a point that things weren’t really working out for me there, I had to look at other options. One was to play county cricket and try to earn big money, but my dream was to play international cricket. When [then Otago coach] Mike Hesson came forward, I closed my eyes and said ‘where can I sign?’.’’
Wagner then had to spend four years playing domestic cricket before he could make his dream come true. Such was his dominant form for Otago, his New Zealand selection at the end of his enforced stand-down was automatic – but his test career didn’t start on a high.
On debut against West Indies in Antigua in July 2012, he took 1-112 in the first innings and 0-32 off five overs in the second innings in a nine-wicket loss. It wasn’t til his fourth test that he had any notable success – match figures of 7-183 in his ‘‘hometown’’ of Dunedin in a match England fought to draw.
‘‘When I first started, it wasn’t a great tour,’’ Wagner said.
‘‘Not getting performances on board didn’t help my case – when I didn’t start off with a bang, I put a little pressure on myself to perform and find a place in the side.’’
He was passed over for overseas tours on ‘‘flat’’ wickets as New Zealand’s selectors preferred various spin duos – Jeetan Patel and Todd Astle, Bruce Martin and Ish Sodhi, Mark Craig and Sodhi, Daniel Vettori and Sodhi. Wagner wasn’t wanted for tests in India, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Bangladesh, West Indies, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, England and Australia as the likes of Doug Bracewell and Matt Henry also got preference.
‘‘It got to a point where I worried about performing too much instead of finding a way to contribute to the team,’’ Wagner said.
‘‘I had to go away and work on my game and felt I needed to bring something different to the table.’’
What he has brought is a winning way – in his 31 tests,
I don’t see myself as the most talented or skilful bowler going around – I see myself as someone who works hard. Neil Wagner