Cricket: opposing captains praise Neil Wagner’s effort in Black Caps win over Pakistan

“I can’t explain Neil Wagner.”

With that simple quote, Pakistan’s captain, Mohammad Rizwan, spoke for all of us.

In upcoming Wisden issues, his second inning numbers of 28-9-55-2 might be easy to forget, but the context won’t be.

That’s what Rizwan was talking about.

“Eleven overs in a row with an injured finger, he’s a different guy,” he continued. “His assaults were beautiful … he’s a great bowler.”

It was Wagner’s combination with Kyle Jamieson that turned a last day that wasn’t heading anywhere fast into something fast.

He threw 11 overs in a row with two broken fingers numbed by a series of injections.

“People talk about the size of their heart, but having a broken pair of fingers … was in a lot of pain,” said party man Kane Williamson. “We were trying to use it when the injection was working. It was unique to all of us, but in particular to Neil.

“To keep coming out and wanting to contribute, his appetite and motivation to try to make a difference for the team is huge and we haven’t seen him bigger than the effort he put into this test match.

“It was a very, very special effort by Wags, one that the team appreciated. We needed it and he delivered.”

The night before, Tim Southee, new to the 300 Club, said they might need one more “big push” from Wagner, but even he couldn’t have anticipated such a long period.

“It’s pretty hard to get off the ground,” Williamson joked. “He said, ‘When I get the shots, I’ll be much better bowling for long periods, okay.’ I was like, ‘What’s different, Neil?’

“He loves it, he loves having the ball in his hand and it is very difficult to get it out.”

The many and varied nuances of test cricket played out over five days at Bay Oval, leaving both patrons proud, exhausted, and eager to resume the battle in Christchurch in the New Year.

“It was an incredible cricket game, another incredible one against Pakistan,” said Williamson. “We are two very, very close teams that have been going until the end. It was great to come out with the result and with the excitement of finishing so late in the piece.”

The boss, who scored 129 in the first two days, said they always felt they had a chance, if they could push aside their opposite Rizwan and Centurion Fawad Alam.

“They were very used to the rhythm of the surface and didn’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon. They dug very deep to bring the game to a place where, given those terrains, [on day four] – It was difficult to cross the line. [It was] incredible fight of them. “

At one point, it looked like Pakistan might be gearing up to chase victory, though Rizwan said they were always thinking about the draw after losing the first wickets on day four.

Williamson, perhaps in his first recognition of the importance of trying to reach the World Trials Championship final at Lord’s in June, said he was prepared to lose to win.

“For us it was about trying to win at all costs in the last session. In terms of the context of the Test Championship, losing it trying to win was a better bet. [than locking down for a draw]. “

Teams head to Christchurch in the New Years for the second test starting January 3. A decision will be made on Wagner soon.

He is unlikely to travel, but as Rizwan said, with Wagner there are some things that you cannot explain.