Wagner’s 7-wicket haul floors Windies

wellington — Neil Wagner rated his career best seven-wicket haul a “horrible” performance as New Zealand seized the honours on day one of the first Test against the West Indies in Wellington on Friday.

But as the West Indies licked their wounds after being rolled in the first innings for 134, they believed they only were one wicket away from getting back into the game.

“The big wicket is Ross Taylor. If we can get him early tomorrow morning, anything’s possible,” coach Stuart Law said.

Taylor was not out 12 with Jeet Raval on 29 as New Zealand reached 85 for two at stumps — 49 runs in arrears after Wagner ensured the West Indies were dismissed cheaply.

The South African-born leftarmer, a fiery short-ball specialist, claimed seven for 39 and was twice on a hat-trick.

But it was an innings-destroying performance that Wagner did not see coming after the West Indies, sent into bat, comfortably reached 59 without loss.

“It was a bit of a bizarre day to be honest. I sort of got a bit worried at one stage, they were looking quite comfortable,” he said.

“The pitch was not doing as much as we expected and I felt horrible to be honest. At the start I just felt like I didn’t have a great rhythm.” “I think I’ve bowled a lot better on other days and not get a wicket and then you get days like this and you end up getting a seven-for ... things don’t really tick but wickets just keep falling and it’s a just bizarre thing.” —

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