Battered Pakistan captain 'can't explain' Kiwi Neil Wagner's heroics despite 2 broken toes

Fast bowler Neil Wagner played almost all of first cricket Test match against Pakistan with two broken toes and will w t play second Test. According to Blackcaps coach Gary Ste, Wagner is expected to be out for at least six weeks and won't be taking part in  second match at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, starting on Sunday. This was after plenty of heroics in first test, however, for which he's being hailed in uncertain terms with Kiwis ending up victorious.

'Neil was absolutely outstanding': NZ Coach

Wagner was hit by a yorker from Shaheen Afridi while batting on second day of first Test at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui, sustaining two fractures to toes on his right foot. In spite of injury, world number three ranked pacer bowled 21 overs in Pakistan’s first innings and 28 in second, leaving field for painkilling injections before returning to bowl again.

In second innings, he bowled a lengthy spell of 11 overs, securing two vital wickets as New Zealand completed a win by 101 runs on Wednesday. He captured wickets of century-maker Faw Alam and dangerous Faheem Ashraf, exposing  Pakistan tail and triggering a collapse. 

"Neil was absolutely outstanding," Ste told reporters at Christchurch airport on Thursday. "I don’t think re are too many individuals who could do what he did in that Test match. "Neil hasn’t travelled with us. injections he was getting (to lessen pain) were wearing off (quickly) and we can't let him go through that again," he said. 

'Test matches don't come easy': Neil Wagner

Pakistan captain Mohamm Rizwan was full of miration for Wagner’s effort of continuing to bowl in first Test despite his injury. "I can’t explain Neil Wagner,” Rizwan said. "Eleven overs in a row on an injured toe, he’s a different guy. His aggressions were beautiful. He’s a big bowler," he ded. 

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson, who was man of match in first Test, praised Wagner’s cour and dedication.
"People talk about size of his heart but to have a couple of broken toes … he was in a lot of pain," Williamson said. "We were trying to use him when injection was taking effect. It was kind of unique for all of us but in particular Neil," he ded. 

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Neil Wagner's determination was to get back out onto field as much as possible. "Test matches don’t come easy. Playing for your country is never anything you can take for granted," he said. 

Wagner said re was never any thought in his mind that he would pull out of match. "I kw how bloody hard I h to work to get where I am w so I'm sure as hell t going to sit on sidelines and watch or people do it," he said after play on day four. "I want to be part of it and play my part. Unless y carry me off on a stretcher, I’m going to try and do everything I can," he said. 

Meanwhile, Ste said y would likely name his replacement on Friday, ding that y would go "like for like". This indicates that team will consider ding ar fast-bowler in line up inste of all-rounder Daryll Mitchell who was 12th man in first Test. 

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(With ncy inputs)