The New Zealand batter Kane Williamson has denied the statement of his former teammate Ross Taylor on his allegations about Neil Wagner’s retirement ahead of the second test of Australia’s tour of New Zealand 2024.
Williamson denies Taylor’s Statement
Senior batter Kane Williamson has hit back at Taylor’s statement which alleged that Neil Wagner was forced to retire from the red-ball format of the game.
After Neil Wagner’s retirement announcement, former player Ross Taylor has said that something is not right in the New Zealand camp in the ongoing series against Australia.
But Kane Williamson called the rumors nonsense during the press conference and said that Taylor had a better idea than himself of what was going on in the dressing room.
“[Taylor] might know more than me, I’m not sure. But I see guys that are giving everything, trying to get better as a team, trying to move the team forward and that’s really a focus for us,” said Williamson.
He said that they are proud of their dressing room culture and their bonds were good. “Yeah, quite good,” Williamson said.
“Something that we’re always trying to improve and evolve as a team. And it’s something we’ve tried to do for years. You always have different transitions and players come and go, support staff come and go.
Neil Wagner’s retirement announcement has created speculations in the team despite being included in the squad for the first test. It became an allegation when he was told he would not be part of the playing 11 in the Test series.
“I don’t think anybody is forced to retire,” Williamson said. “I think last week, he had a fantastic week and it was reflecting on what was an incredible career.”
He also said that Wagner was forced to field in the first test and also picked up a catch and planned to do a celebration in the dressing room.
“Those guys (Tim Southee and Wagner) are great mates and have been and will continue to be,” Williamson said.
“That was banter in the dressing room with Waggy and his fielding so he ended up putting him down at fine leg. So to get a catch was quite amusing. So Waggy took his opportunity.”
“I think he thinks that obviously out of context [and] it doesn’t look great, but it was a little bit humorous at the time and all the players understood the context,” concluded Williamson.
With Australia leading the test series 1-0, the Blackcaps will be looking to level the series at Christchurch. New Zealand and Australia will be playing their second test starting on March 08 at Hagley Oval.
