<p>Fast bowler Neil Wagner’s retirement was “forced,” according to former All-Black Ross Taylor, raising the prospect of discord inside the Kiwi camp.</p>
<p>Wagner recently announced his retirement at an emotional news conference before the commencement of the first Test, saying he had been informed he would not be included in the XI for the series against Australia.</p>
<p><img decoding=”async” class=”alignnone wp-image-476440″ src=”https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/theindiaprint.com-i-feel-like-its-a-forced-retirement-says-former-nz-great-neil-wagners-test-career-.jpg” alt=”theindiaprint.com i feel like its a forced retirement says former nz great neil wagners test career” width=”963″ height=”722″ title=”"I Feel Like It's a Forced Retirement," Says Former NZ Great Neil Wagner's Test Career Was Forced to End 3″></p>
<p>Nonetheless, Wagner, 37, did onto the field in the first Test as a stand-in fielder and sometimes carried the drinks.</p>
<p>It all seems to make somewhat more sense now, in my opinion. It’s not something to sugarcoat. It seems to me like a forced retirement. Wagner announced his retirement during the press conference, but it was announced after this last Test match. Thus, he did make himself accessible, as Taylor said in a podcast interview with ESPN called Around the Wicket.</p>
<p>“And to realize that he’s not chosen… Though I believe you should prepare for the future, if it were a one-time Test match against Australia that had to be won, I wouldn’t look much further than Neil Wagner. Taylor said, “And I’m sure the Australian hitters are resting easy knowing he’s not in the side.</p>
<p>Wagner announced his retirement from cricket last week, ending his 64-match career with 260 wickets, enough for sixth place in the nation.</p>
<p>Wagner was included in the Australia team for the two home Test matches against Pat Cummins, but head coach Gary Stead informed him that he would not be playing in either game.</p>
<p>Together with Stead, he announced his departure from international cricket, fighting back tears.</p>
<p>This week has been really emotional, Wagner said on Tuesday. “It’s difficult to leave something you’ve invested so much in and benefited from so much, but it’s time for others to take the lead and move this team forward. After declaring his retirement earlier, the 37-year-old stated, “I’ve loved every single moment of playing test cricket for the Black Caps and am proud of everything we’ve been able to achieve as a team.”</p>
<p>Wagner moved to New Zealand in 2008 after being born and raised in Pretoria, South Africa. He was instrumental in helping his new country become the world’s top-ranked team and win the first-ever World Test Championship in 2021.</p>
“I Feel Like It’s a Forced Retirement,” Says Former NZ Great Neil Wagner’s Test Career Was Forced to End
