Fast bowler Neil Wagner joins Somerset for the last three matches of the County Championship
Taunton (IANS). New Zealand fast bowler Neil Wagner has been signed by county club Somerset as an overseas player for the last three County Championship matches of the current season.
Left-arm fast bowler Wagner will reach the Cooper Associates County Ground in time to be in contention for Somerset’s visit to Hampshire on September 3. He was due to play for Yorkshire, but tore his hamstring and bulging disc while playing in a Test match against Sri Lanka in March.
“I’m looking forward to joining Somerset and hopefully I can help them finish the season strongly. I’ve played English county cricket before and it’s something I really enjoy.”
“Division One is again very competitive this year and no easy game, but I will do everything I can to make sure Somerset finish as close to the top of the table as possible,” Wagner said in a statement shared. ”
The 37-year-old Wagner has played 63 Tests for New Zealand, taking 258 wickets at 27.50 with best figures of seven for 39. He has appeared in a total of 199 first-class matches, taking 807 wickets at an average of 27.09. He has taken five or more wickets in a first-class innings on 36 occasions and 10 or more wickets in a first-class match twice.
Somerset had fast bowlers Matt Henry and Peter Siddle as overseas players during the first half of the season, but they have completed their tenures at the club.
Wagner has previously played for Essex, Lancashire and Northamptonshire in county cricket in England. Somerset are currently fifth in Division One of the County Championship.
