New Zealand‘s defeat in the first Test against Australia has left them contemplating options for the second Test in Christchurch, with the possibility of recalling retired pace bowler Neil Wagner not entirely off the table.
The Black Caps suffered a 172-run loss to Australia in the series opener at the Basin Reserve, prompting speculation about changes to the squad for the next match.
One intriguing possibility is the return of Neil Wagner, who retired just before the series began. Despite initially being named in the squad, Wagner chose to retire after a discussion with coach Gary Stead, who expressed concerns about his form and fitness.
After the loss in the first Test, questions arose about the availability of Wagner for the second Test. New Zealand’s Tim Southee, when asked about Wagner’s potential return, did not rule it out, saying, “We’ll see how Will scrubs up and we’ll go from there.”
However, Southee did rule out the return of another veteran, Trent Boult, citing his T20 commitments and workload management as reasons for not considering him for Test selection.
The possibility of Wagner’s return has divided fans, with some eager to see him back in action and others calling for changes in the bowling lineup. One name that has been mentioned as a possible replacement is Scott Kuggeleijn, who had a lackluster performance in the first Test.
It remains to be seen whether the Black Caps will stick with Kuggeleijn or consider debutants Jacob Duffy or Ben Sears for the second Test. Regardless of the decision, the Black Caps will be looking for a much-improved performance to level the series against Australia.
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