Former New Zealand skipper Ross Taylor alleges pacer Neil Wagner’s retirement was ‘forced’

Former New Zealand Ross Taylor has alleged that fast bowler Neil Wagner was ‘forced to retire’ ahead of the first Test in the ongoing series in Australia.

Notably, Wagner had announced the shock retirement ahead of Wellington Test but did take part in the match as a substitute fielder and carried drinks as well. He ended his career with 260 Test wickets – the fifth most for a Kiwi bowler.

Talking about Wagner’s retirement, Taylor said on ESPN’s Around the Wicket podcast: “I think it all makes sense a little bit now. There’s no sugarcoating it. I think it’s a forced retirement. If you listen to Wagner’s press conference, he was retiring, but it was after this last Test match. So he did make himself available.”

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“And to see that he isn’t selected … I think I do like and you do need to plan for the future, but a one-off Test against Australia in a must-win situation, I wouldn’t be looking much further than Neil Wagner. And I’m sure the Australian batters are sleeping easy that he’s not in the side,” Taylor added.