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South Africa Neil Wagner is a left-arm fast-medium bowler known for his impactful Test cricket career primarily with the New Zealand national team, bringing a consistent and aggressive bowling style to the international stage.
Awarded a new contract for the 2018–19 season, indicating a continued professional relationship as a centrally contracted player for the national cricket board.
Ranked as the number two Test bowler in the ICC's world rankings, an endorsement of his performance and standing in global cricket.
Signed to play for Durham between June and September 2025, representing a contract for a county cricket season.
Neil Wagner was born on March 13, 1986, in Pretoria, South Africa. He attended Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool, where he played cricket alongside future international players AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis. Wagner represented Northerns from 2005/06 to 2007/08 and also played for Titans during this period. In 2008, he relocated to Dunedin, New Zealand, and joined the Otago cricket team, marking a significant turn in his career path. Over a decade, he played 190 matches for Otago, securing 579 wickets, demonstrating his potential as a formidable bowler in domestic cricket.
Wagner earned a spot in the New Zealand Emerging Players team in June 2009, leading to his Test debut for New Zealand in 2012 against the West Indies. He developed into a reliable third seamer for the New Zealand side, achieving consistent performances. A notable milestone early in his career occurred on April 6, 2011, when he took five wickets in a single six-ball over for Otago against Wellington, a first in first-class cricket. This performance, with figures of 6/36, showcased his wicket-taking ability. His Test career spanned 64 matches, in which he took 260 wickets with a bowling average of 27.57. He retired from international cricket in February 2024.
Throughout his career, Wagner played for various domestic and county teams, including Northamptonshire (2014), Lancashire (2016), Essex (2017-2018), Somerset (2023), and Northern Districts (2018/19-2024/25). He was a key member of the New Zealand team that won the 2019–2021 ICC World Test Championship, a highlight he described as the “pinnacle of the game.” His career progression included becoming one of the top-ranked Test bowlers by the ICC in 2020. His final domestic match for Northern Districts in 2025 resulted in a Plunket Shield victory, which he described as a “cherry on the top” for his career ending.
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