WTC Final Definitely Going To Be A Special Occasion, It's Like A World Cup Final For Me - Neil Wagner
Published - 30 May 2021, 04:52 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 03:42 PM
Neil Wagner, the New Zealand pacer, is excited to play in the final of the inaugural edition of the WTC against India; the historic contest is slated for June 18th at The Rose Bowl in Southampton.
Neil Wagner says that the WTC final is like a World Cup final for him – the left-handed seamer has featured in 51 Tests for New Zealand, taking 219 wickets, but hasn’t played a single white-ball match for his country – and wishes to put all his focus on the game.
Before the marquee clash, New Zealand will take on hosts England in a 2-Test series starting June 2.
“Yeah, it is like a World Cup final for me. The biggest disappointment, I guess, in my career is that I’ve never really played a white-ball game for New Zealand or never been able to crack into the T20 or the one-day game.
“That ship has probably sailed now and I don’t think the opportunity will ever come. For me now, it’s about putting all my focus and energy into Test cricket and to be able to play in a World Test Championship final is like a World Cup for me,” Neil Wagner told ESPNcricinfo.
To play in a one-off Test final against one of the best teams in the world, that’s what it’s about: Neil Wagner
The short-ball specialist fast bowler is eager to come up against India and make a mark over the number 1 ICC Test team. Virat Kohli’s side is also the WTC table toppers, and Neil Wagner reckons to face the best team, if not the best, is what such finals are built upon.
However, the left-hander speedster doesn’t want to think too much too far and wants to take the game as another Test, albeit its significance.
“I know this final is the first and there isn’t a lot of history around it, but it’s the start of something that’s pretty big. To play in a one-off Test final against India – one of the best teams in the world, if not the best team in the world – to be able to test yourself against the best on the highest and biggest stage, that’s what it’s about.
“It’s extremely exciting, but I don’t want to think too far ahead. Don’t want to let the occasion get to you, just treat it like another Test match and do the same things you do. It’s definitely going to be a special occasion. That’s for sure,” he further expressed his excitement.
