NZ vs AUS | Twitter awes at Wellington's heartwarming farewell reception for retiring hero Neil Wagner
New Zealand may not be the most cricket-fanatic nation in the world but the cohort that does love the sport admire their icons like few others. The overwhelming endearment manifested in a wholesomely beautiful way in Wellington on Thursday with retirement-bound Neil Wagner at the receiving end.
The first day of a highly anticipated Test series between New Zealand and Australia lived up to the hype in Wellington as both teams kept trading blows in the latter's struggle to put up a par total on a fresh green deck. However, the conversation ahead of the fixture was focused as much on the players involved as on the one that would not end up playing, namely Neil Wagner.
The left-arm quick had announced his retirement in tears on the eve of the series after learning he wasn't in the playing XI, causing congratulations and commiserations to flow his way from all corners of the globe. Wagner had put together an iconic 64-Test career where he garnered a reputation like no other for his ability to manufacture wickets with sweet chin music and was a crucial cog of the Kiwi's triumphant run in the maiden World Test Championship. Naturally, he enjoyed a cult status in the islands Down Under which became apparent in an overwhelming way at the Basin Reserve on Thursday.
Wagner walked onto the field in the 69th over of the game as a substitute fielder, perhaps donning the all-whites for the last time in his career, and the field immediately echoed with a huge round of applause. The ovation seemed to follow wherever Wagner went around the boundary with ardent fans raising banners and cutouts of the 37-year-old to celebrate a wonderful career. Wagner seemed to have a permanent smile plastered to his face while he acknowledged the love and tried to repay it in kind by going around the ropes signing autographs. The wholesome moment not only served as a deserving farewell for Wagner but allowed Twitterati to pout out its emotions as well.
What a reception!
— Grahman (@Grahman326048) February 29, 2024
Giving everything
Neil Wagner fielding as a substitute.
— USAMA UMAIR ❤️🔥 (@Usamaumair777) February 29, 2024
Even after retirement, Wagner giving everything to New Zealand. 🫡#AUSvsNZ #stockmarketcrash #viralvideo #Vina2024 #NFFC #MAFS #TaylorSwift pic.twitter.com/gSICCzMtls
Visual treat
Neil wagner was part of National anthem during match.
— Cricket Point 👈 (@AtoZCrickets) February 29, 2024
What a great viewing in Cricket. pic.twitter.com/0xMaU0gUTp
Even after retirement
Amazing Neil Wagner fielding as a substitute.
— Finally Live (@FinallyLiveNews) February 29, 2024
Even after retirement, Wagner giving everything to New Zealand. 🫡#BCCI
Winning hearts
Neil Wagner you are winning now more hearts 💕
— Pawan Kumar 🇮🇳 (@Prince11R) February 29, 2024
What a commitment!
Neil Wagner fielding as a substitute.
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) February 29, 2024
Even after retirement, Wagner giving everything to New Zealand. 🫡 pic.twitter.com/aZw1LslAr6
Admirable
It's admirable to see Neil Wagner's commitment to New Zealand, even in a substitute fielding role post-retirement. Fans and commentators likely appreciate his dedication and passion for the game.
— ꪜɪᴊᴀʏ🤞 (@kotule_vijay) February 29, 2024
Standing ovation for him
Neil Wagner as a substitute fielder.
— THE AJAY Cric (@TheCric_AJAY) February 29, 2024
He's giving everything for New Zealand He's commitment and dedication for the game and New Zealand cricket is Amazing - The crowds giving standing ovation to him. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/cc97SSQpRf
That commitment
Neil Wagner is fielding as substitute in ongoing test series against Australia,
— Shahid wani (@shayu9682) February 29, 2024
His commitment towards game is applicable 👏👏👏 even though he has taken his retirement from international cricket..#AUSvsNZ #CamronGreen #ShreyasIyer #CricketTwitter #IshanKishan pic.twitter.com/DTgG1Nlkjn
Beacause of the rule
@ICC, Bring out the SuperSub rule back just so we can watch #NeilWagner bowl one final time.#AUSvsNZ #CricketTwitter https://t.co/YBwiIEsJao
— Broken Cricket Dreams Cricket Blog (@cricket_broken) February 29, 2024
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