NZ paceman promises intimidation at WACA

New Zealand paceman Neil Wagner, who has joined the squad as injury cover, says his side's quicks are capable of intimidating Australia's batsmen in Perth.

New Zealand are expected to unleash a four-prong pace attack at the WACA, where Neil Wagner is confident the tourists can do some intimidating of their own.

NZ's quicks failed to fire in the first Test, Tim Southee succumbing to a back injury and Trent Boult struggling for control as Australia declared twice and cruised to a 208-run win.

James Neesham's back injury means there will be at least one change to their XI, with Mark Craig expected to play as a spinning allrounder.

The visitors could then add Wagner or Matt Henry to their pace battery, or both if Southee is unable to prove his fitness before the second Test starts on Friday.

Coach Darren Lehmann suggested earlier this week the WACA could be an intimidating venue for the tourists.

Wagner countered that his side's pacemen were just as capable of intimidation at the Perth venue, where they will seek to level the three-Test series.

"Definitely. I think our attack is up there with the best in the world," Wagner said.

"When Tim, Trent and Dougy (Bracewell) and the rest of them all get it right - they're pretty good bowlers.

"If we can be more consistent for long periods of time, we'll definitely show that."

Wagner trained at the Melville club with Mitchell McClenaghan on Tuesday, the pair called in as cover following the injuries in the first Test.

The 29-year-old grew up and started his career in South Africa, even fielding for the national side in two Tests.

But the WACA has always held an other-worldly sense of intrigue for the left-armer.

"I loved watching it growing up," he said.

"I'd love to play there. It's pretty awesome, a very special place for fast bowlers.

"If you're going to play at the WACA then you get pretty excited."

But not too excited, Wagner suggesting his side couldn't afford to repeat the mistakes of past touring sides.

"Just watching cricket here over the years, I think overseas teams have come here and bowled a bit too short," he said.

"They get carried away with the bounce and the pace.

"Sometimes you've got to bowl a touch fuller length ... it's a little bit like The Basin in Wellington.

"It's a pretty tough task but all the boys are up for it."


Share

3 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world