Neil Wagner signed off from New Zealand domestic cricket with a five-wicket haul that helped Northern Districts win the Plunket Shield.
Otago needed 407 on the final day to win the last game of the 2024/25 Plunket Shield, at the University Oval in Dunedin. They kept Northern Districts at bay for 88.3 overs when part-time off-spinner Henry Cooper trapped Toby Hart leg-before to end an obstinate 50-run last-wicket stand.
Wagner stars on final day of NZ domestic career
Northern Districts won by 134 runs. The 12 points from the game took them to 109, nine clear of Wellington’s 100. This was their ninth Plunket Shield and their first since 2011/12. Wagner’s 51 wickets in that edition, for Otago, is still the most in a season since 1978/79.
Match 24, Otago Volts vs Northern Districts
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- Ball by ball Over
Leading the rout for Northern Districts was Wagner, who was playing in his last game. He had already made three key contributions in the game even before the last day. First, a rapid 11-ball 25 not out to help captain Jeet Raval declare the first innings. Then, 3-33 to secure a 256-run first-innings lead. And when Northern Districts needed quick runs to declare, Wagner strode out at No.3 and smashed an 11-ball 27 not out.
Now, on the fourth day, he took three of the top five Otago batters, and returned with a double blow to reduce them to 222-9. Northern Districts eventually won, and Wagner finished with 5-53.
Wagner finished his Plunket Shield career with 374 wickets, the second-most in the history of the tournament, after Stephen Boock’s 492. Over the course of the game, he went past Ewen Chatfield (370) and David O’Sullivan (368).
Wagner had retired from Test cricket last year. He will not be playing in New Zealand domestic cricket either. However, he has signed a contract for Durham, and will represent them for the last four months of the 2025 County Championship.
