Neil Wagner, who announced his retirement from international cricket las week, might make a U-turn and turn up for New Zealand in the second Test against Australia.
The Kiwis are in a spot of bother after fast bowler Will O'Rourke picked up an injury in the first Test against Australia in Wellington.
The hosts are awaiting an update on O'Rourke's injury and if things don't turn out well then the hosts might be tempted to recall Wagner to the squad for the second Test, slated to be held in Christchurch from March 8.
On February 27, Wagner drew curtains to his illustrious 64-Test career after a difficult chat with coach Gary Stead when it was clear that he won’t feature in New Zealand's XI for the two-match series against Australia.
However, the Kiwis suffered a crushing 172-run defeat at the hands of Australia on Sunday (March 3) and New Zealand skipper Tim Southee said the door was not shut on Wagner.
Sharing an update on O'Rourke's injury, Southee said the team management will wait for a couple of days before taking a decision on his replacement.
"We haven't had a lot of discussions as yet. We'll see how Will scrubs up. The physio hasn't sort of put a time-frame on it or how bad it is. We'll just wait and see how Will goes over the next couple of days. I'm sure there'll be an update in the next 24 hours," said Southee.
"We obviously have to go on and make a decision on who comes in and what role we sort of see that playing out in Christchurch.
"(Wagner's) had a great reception here over the last week where he got a couple of moments on the field and obviously he's been a fan favourite for a long time," he further stated.
Southee though made it clear that veteran pacer Trent Boult, who last played in a Test in June 2022, won't feature in the second game.
"I don't think his loading is up to it on the back of T20," Southee said.
Meanwhile, Australian captain Pat Cummins also reacted to New Zealand's temptation to recall Neil Wagner, calling it the world's shortest retirement.
"World's shortest retirement. I mean, why not? If he's your next best bowler that you think is going to perform, then go for it. I've faced him before. It'd be good to see. He's high energy. It's been good fun chatting to him each morning out here, so see how he goes," said Cummins.
Wagner ended his Test career last week as the fifth highest wicket-taker for Black Caps. The left-arm quick took 260 wickets from 64 Tests at an average of 27.57, including nine five-wicket hauls.
Among the Kiwi bowlers, only Sir Richard Hadlee (431), Tim Southee (376), Daniel Vettori (361) and Trent Boult (317) have taken more wickets than him in the longest format. Wagner’s strike rate of 52.7 is only bettered by the great Sir Richard Hadlee (50.8) of New Zealanders to have taken more than 100 Test wickets.
(Hindustan Times Inputs)
