Essex look to bring Neil Wagner in place of Mohammad Amir

Neil Wagner is expected to replace Mohammad Amir at the Essex camp.

By Sayantan Bhattacharjee

Updated - 13 Aug 2017, 21:56 IST

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As PCB called back all their contracted players from CPL and the English county, Essex aims to bring New Zealand fast bowler Neil Wagner for the end of the county season. He will replace Mohammad Amir, who will take part in the National Cup.

The Pakistan Cricket Board announced on Friday (August 11) that centrally contracted players would have to return back for a fitness test at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore on August 22, ahead of the three-match T20I series which has been brought forward to mid-September. It had been believed that the World XI matches would take place towards the end of the month.

PCB calls back players

“The centrally contracted players were given permission for participation in the CPL and English county season subject to recall if the World XI series took place mid September, they are now being recalled owing to the changes in schedule brought about due to the change in the original World XI tour of Pakistan plan,” PCB stated in a media release. “The series has been brought forward to

“The series has been brought forward to mid-September instead of last week of September because the Punjab Government wants it to be held before the NA120 election on September 17. It can’t be held after September 17 because there is no time to both hold the series and also give National Coach Mickey Arthur time for training the team before the series starts with Sri Lanka on September 24,” the release added.

Amir on a roll

It also means, Amir, who scalped ten wickets against Yorkshire in Essex’s last County Championship match, would play just three more NatWest T20 Blast matches before heading to Pakistan. Essex have made representations to the PCB about Amir remaining with the county but these discussions are ongoing. Wagner, who played seven Championship games for Essex at the start of the season, is keen to return to the county and will be brought over once the situation with Amir is finalised.

Amir has been on a roll since his comeback. He did very well in the champions trophy and swung the ball against India at a deadly accuracy. Pakistan went on to win the Champions Trophy in England earlier this year.

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