Wagner to play for Essex in county championship

Otago's Neil Wagner bowls to Canterbury batsman Cam Fletcher. Photos: Hamish McLean.
Otago's Neil Wagner bowls to Canterbury batsman Cam Fletcher. Photos: Hamish McLean.
Black Caps and Otago left-armer Neil Wagner has signed with the Essex County Cricket Club for the first half of the 2017 English season.

Wagner played for Lancashire last season and took 32 wickets at an average of 29.28 in nine games.

The 30-year-old will play in the one-day competition and the County Championship up until the end of June.

In a press release, Wagner said he was thrilled to be returning to play in England.

"I really enjoyed my time in England with Lancashire last season, but I am excited about linking up with Essex and building on the team’s success in 2016.

"I want to bring my experience to the team and help us win games. I hope to help the squad get off to a good start in both competitions."

Otago fielder Neil Broom puts down a catch.
Otago fielder Neil Broom puts down a catch.
Essex coach Chris Silverwood said Wagner brings "vast experience at the highest level to the club, as well as a skill set that will be valuable in the opening months of the season".

Wagner was in Oamaru with Otago yesterday for a warm-up twenty20 match against Canterbury.

The Volts bowling attack rediscovered some confidence after a rough opening match against Auckland on Sunday.

Canterbury posted 157 for five and Otago was dismissed for 118, so it was a win to the visitors. But the score was not terribly important, compared to the improvements shown.

Otago assistant coach Anton Roux said it was a good work-out for the side.

"Some of the bowlers still need a couple of more overs under the belt," Roux said.

"But our spinners didn’t have a bad day today, which was a good sign."

Otago’s slow bowling stocks have thinned this season.  Nick Beard is taking time out from the game, Nathan McCullum is basically retired and Mark Craig is struggling with a back complaint.

That leaves leg spinner Rhys Phillips, who did not play yesterday, and part-timers Anaru Kitchen and Josh Finnie to pick up the load. Pace bowler Jacob Duffy was pummelled in the opening game against Auckland. He conceded 45 runs from three overs but "bowled a few good overs".

He took one for 18 from three overs yesterday.‘‘I think the wicket suited for what he was doing today. He bowled quite a few slower balls.

"And our fielding today was probably one of the better performances so far."

Canterbury 157 for five (Cam Fletcher 38, Neil Wagner two for 25), Otago 118 (Anaru Kitchen 31, Tim Johnston three for 19, Logan van Beek two for 24). Result: Canterbury win by 39 runs.

● Otago Boys’ High School’s match with Hutt International at the Secondary School Boys’ First XI Cup finals at Lincoln yesterday was abandoned without a ball bowled.

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