Australia vs New Zealand 2nd Test: Insights from New Zealand Cricket Camp
Australia vs New Zealand series: In a recent interview, Kane Williamson, captain of the New Zealand cricket team, provided insights into Neil Wagner’s retirement and responded to remarks made by former teammate Ross Taylor.Â
Williamson thinks the camp in New Zealand is “quite good” even though there is some outside noise.
“I think it all makes sense a little bit now,” Taylor said in response to a question Around The Wicket program concerning Wagner’s finger-on-the-mouth celebration following his dismissal of Zubayr Hamza in his final Test appearance against South Africa in Hamilton, as well as a video of him giving someone the finger as the team huddled to celebrate another wicket. I don’t think it’s a forced retirement; that much is certain. Wagner announced his retirement during the press conference, but it was announced after the last Test match against Australia. He therefore did offer himself.”
At a press conference held at Hagley Oval on Wednesday, two days before the second Test match against Australia—where he and Tim Southee will commemorate their 100th Test match—Williamson was questioned about Taylor’s remarks.
Wagner was given a wonderful send-off by the team last week in Wellington, according to Williamson, who feels that Wagner was not coerced into retirement.
Williamson remarked, “I don’t think anybody is forced to retire.” “I believe that he had a great week last week, reflecting on what was an amazing career.
“In the changing room, we experienced some incredible moments. Things didn’t go as planned. Of course, a successful on-field performance would have been beneficial, but there was much more at play. He has simply accomplished so much amazing work for this team. We’ve seen his talent and the stats that everyone notices, but what’s really amazing is the heart, soul, and effort he’s put forward and, for the most part, led through that for such a long time. That made it a very wonderful week, and I believe he had a great time telling the side about it.”
Williamson also provided some background to Wagner’s finger-on-the-mouth celebration, implying that it sprang from some lighthearted conversation between Southee and Wagner regarding Wagner’s fielding.
“Those guys are great mates and have been and will continue to be,” Williamson stated. Waggy ended up placing him down at fine leg because of the playful banter between them in the dressing room over his fielding. So it was rather comical to get a catch. Waggy then seized the chance. Although it doesn’t look good and seems clearly out of context, I believe he believes that all the players understood the context at the time, and it was also rather hilarious.
Despite the outside clamor, Williamson stated the Black Caps team had a positive atmosphere.
“Yes, it’s pretty good,” Williamson replied. Something that, as a team, we always strive to enhance and develop. We’ve been attempting to accomplish that for years. Players and support personnel come and go, and there are constant changes in the scene.”I’m not sure if [Taylor] knows more than I do. However, we really focus on the players that are giving it their best, working to improve as a team, and advancing the squad.”
Taylor was particularly scathing of Southee’s dismissal against Nathan Lyon in Wellington during the fourth innings as New Zealand lost badly. Southee holed out to long-on.
“When you’re a batter, we all play poor shots, but when you’re captain I think it just sends a bad message, and the optics of it I think don’t look good,” Taylor stated. He does score a lot of runs for us when he uses an offensive style of play. He enjoys making sixes. He jokes about with Brendon [McCullum] about whether he’ll ever be able to catch him. However, you have to face your team head-on as captain. We weren’t a very good batting club; it’s difficult to chastise the team when they play a shot like that.”
Williamson seems unperturbed by remarks implying that the Black Caps were concentrating on their own needs.
“Lots of people come out and say different things and as a team, we try and focus on what’s important and that’s our team and our environment and what we’re trying to do and give our energy to that,” Williamson explained.
