http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Neil-Wagner-c79182 prepared to play role of nightwatchman – Cricket News Update
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 medium-pacer Neil Wagner has stated that he worked hard over the winter to fulfil the role of the nightwatchman, which he knew he would be expected to take up if included in the national squad.
“I've worked really hard during the winter,” Wagner admitted. “I've worked hard the years before that with http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757, I
knew (this was the) sort of role I'd have to play.”
The 26-year-old, a veteran of 56 first-class matches (with 239 wickets under his belt) and 53 list-A matches (82 scalps), caught the selectors’ eye with his performances in the domestic circuit, earning a call for the Test squad for the 2-match extended-overs
series against the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760.
He featured in the playing XI for the New Zealanders’ tour match against the West Indies Cricket Board President's XI, played at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua from July 20 to 22, during which he impressed with his aggressive attitude
and effective performance, claiming 3 for 65 during the WICB President’s XI’s first innings on the second day.
Veteran spinner http://www.senore.com/Cricket/DL-Vettori-c1384 hailed the South-African born seamer as a welcome new addition to the Black Caps’ line-up, claiming he brought a new energy to the bowling attack.
“He was awesome today. He brings a lot of energy,” Vettori said after the second day of the tour match. “He's a different style of bowler than probably most New Zealanders are used to. He runs in hard all day and wants to compete the whole time ... he's
a welcome addition to our side.”
Wagner’s performance earned him a spot in the playing XI for the first game of the two-match Test series against the West Indies, played in Antigua from July 25 to 29.
However, the left-armer failed to impress with his bowling performance during his Test debut, claiming 1 for 144. Despite this, he served as an effective nightwatchman, coming in at number 5 and registering scores of 4 (off 28 deliveries) and 13 (off 103
balls), and doing a respectable job of maintaining the strike.
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