I’m happy for Trent Boult and Tim Southee to take the limelight, says Wagner

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HAMILTON, NEW ZEALAND - DECEMBER 10: Neil Wagner of New Zealand complains to the umpire about the shape of the ball during day two of the Second Test Match between New Zealand and the West Indies at Seddon Park on December 10, 2017 in Hamilton, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

(Photo: Getty Images)

By Adam Ellis

New Zealand bowler Neil Wagner says he doesn’t care much for where the ICC Test rankings place him in comparison to team-mates Trent Boult and Tim Southee.

The former Essex and Lancashire man has taken a credible 144 wickets in 34 Tests for the Blackcaps to see him rise to sixth in the latest rankings and said he is happy to come to the fore after Boult and Southee have performed their double act as opening bowlers.

“Would I like a little more recognition?” Wagner questioned. “Not really. Tim and Trent are class bowlers and the skills they have got, you’ve got to admire.

“The only thing I try to do is draw on my experiences and play my role, contribute as much as I can to bowl in partnerships with those two. That’s something that’s brought me success.

“I don’t read too much into the rankings. I couldn’t care less if I’m number six or number 100 if we win a Test match or a series. Those are the things I’ll remember for my whole life and when I’m growing old. Winning a series against England — that’s something that’ll stay with you for a long time.”

Wagner will have his shot at England’s batsmen when the first Test of the two-match series gets underway at Eden Park on Thursday.

A series which provided plenty of grit and drama in 2013, as Matt Prior defended the last ball on the last day of the third Test to seal a 0-0 series draw at the same venue where 2018’s series opener will be played.

Taking 13 wickets over the three Tests, Wagner recalled: “I remember we threw absolutely everything at it. It was an amazing series and I remember walking off and everyone was shattered, literally lying on the ground after giving it their all.

“A 0-0 draw and three hard-fought Test matches, it was just a pretty cool series to be a part of.”

ICC Test Bowler rankings (12 March 2018):

  1. Kagiso Rabada, SA (902)
  2. James Anderson, ENG (887)
  3. Ravindra Jadeja, IND (884)
  4. Ravi Ashwin, IND (803)
  5. Josh Hazlewood, AUS (796)
  6. Neil Wagner, NZ (784)
  7. Rangana Herath, SL (777)
  8. Vernon Philander, SA (776)
  9. Mitchell Starc, AUS (772)
  10. Nathan Lyon, AUS (753)
  11. Morne Morkel, SA (747)
  12. Trent Boult, NZ (725)
  13. Dale Steyn, SA (708)
  14. Yasir Shah, PAK (704)
  15. Mohammad Shami, IND (703)
  16. Stuart Broad, ENG (683)
  17. Tim Southee, NZ (682)
  18. Shakib Al Hasan, BAN (655)
  19. Keshav Maharaj, SA (642)
  20. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, IND (626)
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