Neil Wagner has taken seven wickets on day one of the first test against the West Indies in Wellington.
So many times a fired up Neil Wagner has revived a flagging New Zealand bowling effort. This one was way earlier, and far more dramatic than anyone imagined.
The fiery left-armer, who wasn't introduced till the 18th over, snared 7-39 off 14.4 overs as West Indies were skittled for 134 on day one of the first cricket test in Wellington.
According to leading statistician Francis Payne, Wagner's figures were the best on the first day of a New Zealand test, beating Simon Doull's 7-65 against India on Boxing Day 1998.
Incredibly West Indies lost 8-30 in a 10-over spell either side of the interval as Wagner took 6-17 in a 36-ball span. The crowd basking on the grass hill could barely believe their eyes as they chanted Wagner's name and gave him a roaring ovation as he fielded on the rope.
An hour earlier the sun-drenched masses were eyeing a leisurely lunch and wondering if the home side were in trouble as West Indies openers put on 59, and the tourists reached 75-1 just before the interval.