Way back in 2012, New Zealand cricket was in a rather gloomy state. The team, across formats, was struggling and there was hardly any sign of a recovery in near future. That year, the Kiwis toured West Indies and got beaten comprehensively in both Tests and ODIs. But the Test series witnessed the debut of a new left-arm seamer named Neil Wagner.
The first impression he left was rather disappointing. Simon Doull, the New Zealand commentator covering that series, expressed his disappointment over the fact that Wagner, despite a load of experience at the domestic level, couldn't bowl with the seam upright. There was little else in his bowling that suggested great potential.
Later that year, New Zealand toured South Africa where they got smashed in the Test series by an unforgiving Proteas team. However, by then, Wagner had managed to get the seam upright on his deliveries. But still, he hardly seemed a big threat to anyone.
One thing that Wagner did seem to possess was a big heart. He had an aggressive body language and didn't mind letting the batsman know that he was there. A tireless performer, Wagner kept charging in with intent, though without success.
Next year, Wagner seemed to have improved himself. Not only was he keeping the seam upright, but also swinging the ball. He dismissed Kevin Peterson for a golden duck with a full delivery that swung back into the right-hander and trapped him plumb in front.
Later that year, during West Indies' tour of New Zealand, Wagner continued to improve his swing bowling skills. One of the commentators made a pertinent observation about the bowler. He described Wagner as a medium-pacer with the mindset of a fast bowler. While his aggressive attitude suited someone who could bowl fast and nasty, in reality, his pace and style were more conducive to being an orthodox swing bowler.
But Wagner's hostile attitude towards the batsmen wasn't going to be subdued. Also, his lion-heartedness was visible to everyone. Even on the deadest of wickets and most hopeless situations, he never seemed to stop trying.
It was this quality that led him to bowl his side to victory at Auckland in 2014, against India. On the last day of the Test, when India were cruising towards a victory on a surface that was devoid of any help for bowlers, Wagner bowled his heart out and dismissed a well-set Virat Kohli, centurion Shikhar Dhawan, dangerous MS Dhoni, all through short pitch deliveries.
It was clear, Wagner may not have the pace to be a Mitchell Johnson-style bowler, but his willpower would make him effective. In the coming years, the South Africa-born seamer who hailed from the same school as AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis, managed to get regular wickets with continuous, relentless short-pitch bowling, against what anybody would have expected.
In a highly-insightful interview with Ian Bishop before the start of play on day 4 of the first Test match against West Indies, Wagner revealed the complex thinking and pursuit of excellence that lies behind his full-throated aggression. In his own words, the left-arm seamer mentioned that "I hate being called a one-trick pony," who only relies on short balls.
The 34-year-old who now has more than 200 Test wickets is using the knowledge of his two teammates and bowling comrades, Trent Boult and Tim Southee, both masters of the art of swing, to improve his own swing-bowling ability. This shows not just a great desire to learn but also a highly admirable trait of not just sitting on your laurels. Despite having proven himself to be of immense value with his unique bowling style, he still seeks to grow.
Today, Wagner's record looks highly impressive. 212 wickets in 49 matches at 26.31 average and strike rate of 51.4 is among the best in the world. Last year, on a horrendous tour of Australia where the Kiwis were battered by the host team, Wagner emerged with his pride enhanced by a stellar performance. He not only picked up 17 wickets in three matches but managed to conquer Steve Smith's run-making prowess by the same tactic of continuous short-pitch bowling that is usually regarded detrimental to anyone bowling at his pace.
If Tim Southee and Trent Boult have formed one of the greatest, if not the greatest, new ball pairing for New Zealand, Neil Wagner has been an equally integral part of the team and its success. Always giving his all, never backing down in a fight, and never relying on the pitch, Wagner has carved a niche for himself with utmost hard work and dedication.
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