Neil Wagner will have to wait to make his One-Day International debut as the New Zealand pacer was released from the 15-member squad which is currently playing the tri-series in Ireland. Wagner will return to Essex and has been named in the 14-man squad for the Royal London One-Day Cup clash against Kent.
Wagner, who has played 32 Tests for New Zealand, was hoping to make his ODI debut and was expected to miss at least five games for Essex. However, Adam Milne and Matt Henry, who were playing in the Indian Premier League, joining the squad, Wagner was released to join his county side. The pacer also isn’t part of New Zealand’s Champions Trophy squad.
“It’s a challenge for us because we have guys coming back from the IPL,” Mike Hesson, New Zealand’s coach, said on Wednesday (May 17) about releasing players. “So we will have players we will release back to England and we will give a little bit of time to acclimatise and then assess conditions, because there are still ODIs and we will need to keep picking what we deem to be our best team.”
Wagner wasn’t included in the playing XI in New Zealand’s tri-series opener against Ireland, which they went on to win by 51 runs. Scott Kuggeleijn and Seth Rance, who made their ODI debut, were trusted with the responsibility of sharing the new ball. Mitchell Santner picked up a five-wicket haul as Ireland folded for 238 in chase of 289 and ensured the visitors maintain an unbeaten record against Ireland.
