Neil Wagner proved to be an inspiration in the Bay Oval Test against Pakistan. While batting, Neil Wagner was struck on the boot and it resulted in broken toes. Despite the pain, Neil Wagner bowled 49 overs and delivered crucial blows at regular intervals as New Zealand won the match by 101 runs to become the No.1 ranked Test side in the world. This was New Zealand’s fifth straight win at home and both New Zealand and Pakistan players hailed Neil Wagner as an inspiration. Pakistan skipper Mohammad Rizwan termed him ‘mad’ but Neil Wagner was adamant that unless he was taken off in a stretcher, he would continue to run in and bowl.
However, the toll of his workload in Bay Oval has resulted in Neil Wagner missing the second Test in Christchurch. Neil Wagner played through the pain and had pain-killer injections at regular intervals as he ran in with plenty of heart. However, the injury has ruled Neil Wagner out for six weeks. Speaking about the development, New Zealand head coach Gary Stead said the effort Neil Wagner had put in was simply magnificent.
“I don’t think there are too many individuals who could do what he did in that Test match. Neil hasn’t travelled with us. The injections he was getting (to lessen the pain) were wearing off (quickly) and we can’t let him go through that again,” Gary Stead told reporters at Christchurch airport.
Replacement to be named on Friday
The New Zealand cricket team will be aiming to get end their home season on the ultimate high by going undefeated. With the win against Pakistan at the Bay Oval, New Zealand have won five consecutive Tests at home and they are currently the No.1 ranked side in the world in the latest Test rankings.
With Neil Wagner out, it is likely that Matt Henry will be the first choice to replace Wagner in Christchurch. However, the win almost did not happen as Fawad Alam scored his first century after 11 years and he shared a partnership of 165 with Mohammad Rizwan as the Pakistan skipper scored his fourth consecutive fifty.
“That was tough, really hard test cricket and it was good to come out on the right side of it against a tough Pakistan team. I thought Mohammad Rizwan and Fawad Alam’s partnership was outstanding ... and they nearly took the game away from us. That’s what makes Test cricket what it is,” Gary Stead said.
