‘I do what’s asked of me’
Blood streaming from the split webbing on his right hand, Neil Wagner turned down the chance to get it stitched, glued it back together and resumed normal service.
Yes, he bounded in with his perfectly good left one and bounced the Bangladeshi batsmen again, aided by a springy Basin Reserve pitch.
And it was effective, again, as he bowled 13 overs on the trot and ended with 4-28 to cause the most damage in the tourists’ total of 211 in the second cricket test. New Zealand were 38-2 in reply at stumps with two days to play in Wellington.
‘‘I try to pitch my first over up, and I went for 10 runs,’’ Wagner said. ‘‘There wasn’t a lot of swing or sideways movement at that point and then you want to make the most of the bounce in the surface. It was quite steep. For me it was about trying to utilise that bounce and try to get nicks or a glove.’’
Which he did, twice in quick succession to remove Mominul Haque and Mohammad Mithun before lunch and swing it back New Zealand’s way. Both departed immediately after successful decision review system challenges.
Suitably unsettled, Bangladesh’s two top batsmen then gave it away. Tamim Iqbal (74) skied a half-hearted hook shot then captain Mahmudullah (13) steered a comfortable leg side catch.
As it did two years ago against the same opponents at the same ground, Wagner’s approach generates its share of opposition. He clanged the red Kookaburra against helmets and gloved fingers but there were no Bangladeshi injuries yesterday. And he vows he won’t be changing an approach that is within the rules.
‘‘I don’t really care about that [criticism], to be honest. I’ve got a role to do for the team and for me it’s just to contribute to the team. Whatever is asked for me to do, I just do to the best of my ability.’’
That was compromised early when he dived to field a firm drive and emerged bleeding, the webbing split on his middle finger. It required surgical glue and a hefty bandage to hold it together, and at least wasn’t on his bowling hand.
‘‘It’s a bit painful and you’ve got to deal with it. A bit niggly. If I had to get stitches I had to go to hospital and get an injection so it would take longer. We used the glue so I could get out there and bowl and do my job for the team.’’
The Black Caps picked five pace bowlers on a Basin greentop and Wagner was the last of them to get a gallop, summoned by captain Kane Williamson with Bangladesh 104-1 after 30 overs. Immediately there were chances as the Bangladeshi batsmen took him on.
‘‘It opens up a lot of opportunities to go for runs as well. If they do play well they can get away.
‘‘You don’t want to leak runs at the same time and you’ve got to be really patient and consistent and ask tough questions. Creating that doubt in their footwork and making them think about it . . . if they start ducking or swaying out of it I feel like I have a chance.’’
After 12 wickets fell on day one and with 196 overs left in the abbreviated test, a result remains very much on.