Wagner digs it in to nab six
A short-ball barrage was the key to Neil Wagner picking up figures of six for 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.
‘‘I think 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.’’
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.
‘‘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,’’ Wagner said.
‘‘I thought the other guys bowled really well; as a team we did outstanding and that created that opportunity for me to do what I did.’’
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 claimed their No 11, Michael Chinouya, as his sixth scalp, after Tim Southee had made the crucial breakthrough, getting Masvaure out lbw.
Wagner was chosen as the third seamer for this test ahead of Doug Bracewell and Matt Henry and said that having plenty of competition for places was a good thing, with everyone just wanting the team to succeed.
‘‘We’ve got an outstanding bowling lineup with five quality seamers,’’ he said.
‘‘We’re a pretty close bunch of lads and I think 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.’’