‘It’s definitely not the end of me’ – Black Caps’ Neil Wagner adamant to not let injury hinder his career

New Zealand bowler Neil Wagner has made a statement, declaring his time in Test cricket is not over. The fast-bowler had endured severe injuries during the first Test between New Zealand and Sri Lanka following which, speculations were made about a possible break in his career or even worse, a termination.

Reacting to it, he said that people have been writing him off his whole career and that's not something he would like to pay heed to. He further said that he had been proving people wrong all throughout his career. 

“People might make their predictions and stuff like that and I’ve made a career out of proving people wrong. It’s definitely not the end of me. A lot of people said it could be the end of me after my first test. I think the day I call it quits is the day I call it quits probably, or when they don’t pick me again,” Wagner said.

Earlier, Wagner was ruled out of the second Test against Sri Lanka with a bulging disc in his back and a torn right hamstring. The recovery time for his injuries has been said to be almost six weeks.

“All the other tests you always deal with a bit of stiffness and soreness or pain and stuff you’ve got to get through and that three overs was the loosest I’ve felt, which is quite frustrating," he said about his injury.

“It was like a sniper got hold of you – that it was just this massive shock which comes from the disc nerve shock that went down my leg into my foot and a pretty big shock went through my body,” he said.

He played a vital role in New zealand's two-wicket win against Sri Lanka in the first Test at the Hagley Oval. After being sent out on medical grounds, he valiantly came back to bat despite his injuries and stood his ground till the last moment, running the final run neat to gift his team a valuable win.

New Zealand take 1-0 lead against Sri Lanka

New Zealand won the first Test against Sri Lanka by two wickets on Day 5 of the first Test. Kane Willaimson scored a terrific century to guide his side to take a crucial 1-0 lead in the two-match series. Chasing 285, Black Caps began Day 5 at 28/1 with Williamson and Tom Latham on crease. Williamson remained unbeaten at 121 and took the team home, despite the hosts losing some wickets in quick succession in their second innings. Apart from him, Daryl Mitchell also scored 81 runs. 

For Sri Lanka, Asitha Fernando scalped three wickets while Prabhat Jayasuriya picked two wickets. With Sri Lanka losing the Test, India booked their spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia, which will be played at the Oval on June 7. 

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