da winzada777： Neil Wagner on being 12th man for South Africa, moving to New Zealand, his baseball namesake, and who he’d least like to be stuck in a lift with
da pinup bet： Interview by Jack Wilson26-Oct-2014You fielded in two Tests for South Africa. What was that like?
As a kid growing up it was a dream come true. I was just out of school, starting my career and doing change-room and 12th-man duties – then I ended up getting a chance to field for a few overs in a Test [as a substitute]. It was a great feeling and made me realise that that was what I wanted to do: play Test cricket.Did you get to keep the kit?
I was given a few training shirts and pants that I could keep. I had to give the Test gear back.How close were you to playing international cricket for them?
I was miles away. I knew I still had to do a lot of hard work but I also needed to create an opportunity. There was some talk as I started my career that I could potentially make it, but I was a long way out at that stage. I was still trying to establish my place in the Titans team as there were a lot of quality bowlers in the province and the country. I was miles behind the likes of Dale [Steyn], Morne [Morkel], Alfonso [Thomas] and Albie [Morkel] and it was hard to get an opportunity at that stage. I only got the chance to field and do 12th-man duties for South Africa as I was not selected for Titans playing at the same time.Did you have any reservations about playing for New Zealand?
At that stage, no. I was still very young and did well in the provincial set-up in South Africa, and my goal was to play for South Africa. I did everything I could and performed well and worked really hard. I just couldn’t break through and get enough opportunities. The few I got, I didn’t make the most of. I felt a bit unlucky, and due to systems and franchises changing and bad timing, I knew I was never going to get that chance.What brought you to New Zealand?
I went to England to look at other opportunities and a chance to chase my dream as I was giving up on it in South Africa. I wanted to play elsewhere. It was there that Otago and Mike Hesson asked me to come to New Zealand. I was excited about it and never looked back.You have broken into the Test team. What are your ambitions in one-day cricket?
I definitely want to play. Test cricket is the pinnacle and the form I like the most and that counts the most. But I still want to play one-day and T20 cricket. I feel I can do that. The ultimate dream for me is to play in a World Cup for New Zealand and win it. I’ve been working hard on it but I haven’t played enough domestic short-form games due to Test cricket being at the same time.
“I don’t know if I would go any good at baseball but wouldn’t mind giving it a crack. It looks like a fun sport”
On April 6, 2011, you took four wickets in the first four balls of an over and another in the sixth [for Otago]. We have to ask: what on earth were you doing on the fifth?
I couldn’t believe my luck – or what was happening! I think I got a bit greedy and tried something else to get a wicket, instead of doing the same.Did you know that was a world record at the time?
No. I had no clue until later on in the day. The boys in the team made it pretty special, though.There is a high catch off your bowling. Which of your New Zealand team-mates do you most want to see under it?
It’s a hard one to pick out of Kane Williamson or Brendon [McCullum]. I wouldn’t mind Trent [Boult] diving one-handed at one too, though. Picking from the three, I’ll go Brendon.What is going on in the New Zealand dressing room during a rain break?
It is really relaxed but there is good banter. There’s always a few jokes and some game or another being played, that has been made up by either Trent or Tim [Southee], and a few laughs with that too. We are never shy of a bit of fun.Who do you try and avoid facing in the nets?
I’d have to say James McMillan from Otago – and a little bit Jimmy Neesham. He loves to let a few slip where he doesn’t know where it goes!Who would you least like to be stuck in a lift with?
Mathew Sinclair.And who has the worst dress sense?Mark Craig and Nick Beard – the two flatmates!Tampa Bay Rays have a famous baseball player also called Neil Wagner. What would you be like at baseball?
I’ve heard of him – I would love it if I could meet him! I’ve heard he is pretty good. I don’t know if I would go any good at baseball but wouldn’t mind giving it a crack. It looks like a fun sport.Who is the best left-arm seamer you have seen?
Wasim Akram.Where do you keep your first Test cap?
It is in my kitbag and I never take it out. I still use it in every Test and will until the last one I play.If you had one superpower, what would you choose?
To read minds.