The Black Caps left-armer can make things happen suddenly and did just that yesterday during day one of Otago's two-day trial match at Tonga Park.
The Redmond XI had been building nicely. But at 68 without loss Wagner nabbed four wickets in 10 balls.
He bowled Gregor Croudis for 21, had Tom Griffin caught second ball and trapped both Derek de Boorder and Josh Finnie lbw before they could score.
However, the fielding team did not have it all its own way.
Aaron Redmond batted well at the top, adding 66 before he was run out. Left-arm spinner Nick Beard chipped in with 41 at No 8 and Craig Smith was undefeated on 54 at stumps with the Redmond XI 227 for nine.
Wagner was the star with five for 24 from 12 overs. Fellow left-armer Bradley Scott was tidy, taking one for 27 from 15 overs.
New recruit Tipene Friday struggled to find his footing early on. The bowler's run-ups were on the damp side and Redmond dispatched the seamer for a series of boundaries.
But Friday kept battling and finished with one for 51 from 17 overs.
Redmond XI 227 for nine (Aaron Redmond 66, Craig Smith 54 not out, Nick Beard 41, Neil Wagner five for 24).
