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Black Caps pacer Neil Wagner hoping to be called up for second Test against Australia

Neil Wagner might be called up to play the second Test at the WACA

29-year-old Neil Wagner might be called up to play his 17th Test during the second Test which will take place at the WACA in Perth, as Tim Southee is still to pass his fitness test after suffering an injury to his back, reported ESPNCricinfo.

New Zealand started the tour poorly with a dismal performance in Brisbane, where they were bullied to the sidelines by the Australia side. Wagner, who is aggressive at times, might be helpful for Brendon McCullum's side as they need to muster up the courage and fight their way out of the hole they find themselves in.

Wagner vividly remembers the exploits of many greats on the WACA pitch which is known for its pace and bounce. Wagner who has never bowled here would certainly relish the opportunity to bowl on the surface. This might be just one of the last few games on the WACA  pitch as there are plans to shift major international matches to the Burswood Stadium.

"I'd love to play Australia, I'd love to get that chance," Wagner said. "I had a training session yesterday at the Melville club and they told me it was the last two Tests at the WACA or something like that because they're talking about a different ground. That's a bit of a shame because it's quite a nice ground, I loved watching it growing up, a lot of history over there and I'd love to play there. It's pretty awesome, a very special place for fast bowlers.”

Describing how he grew up watching matches played at the WACA and how visiting teams try a little too much on the quick and bouncy track. He went on to add that instead of being carried away with the bounce and the pace, bowlers need to be consistent and bowl fuller lengths to pick wickets.

"Just watching cricket here over the years, I think overseas teams have come here and bowled a bit too short. They get carried away with the bounce and the pace sometimes. Sometimes you've got to bowl a touch fuller length, sort of top of the stumps. For us I think the thing is to not get carried away with it. Hit consistent areas and ask good questions for longer periods of time and things will happen."

Southee bowled well in the morning at nets to prove his fitness after suffering from an irritated disc in his back at the Gabba but Wagner still a chance to play.

The New Zealand coach Mike Hesson has spoken out about going with a five-man bowling attack for the WACA Test, with spinner Mark Craig batting at No. 7 and maybe even being the lone spinner. This will mean that McCullum will have more pace bowling options to rely on.

Slow starters in Tests

New Zealand are considered to be slow starters in Test series, but invariably improve as they go on. Wagner also seconded that saying that the bowling unit always performs well as a group complementing each other, but there was a little inconsistency at the start of the tour.

"As a bowling unit we've always complemented each other quite well over past times and our success over the past two years or so is we've bowled in partnerships and other guys have stepped up too," Wagner said. "I think that has made Tim and Trent bowl really well in the past. It was just a little bit inconsistency and a bit of a tough start.

Wagner went on to add that it was a three-match series and the team will look to level the series during the second Test and even hope to win the series.

"We have had that in the past as well, our first Test we haven't always started that well and we've picked it up as the series has gone on. Lucky for us it's a three-match series, there's a lot more cricket left to be played and hopefully we can set it back from ball one in this next Test. Overall the team will be better for that hit [in Brisbane], being out in the heat and humidity and bouncy wickets, just adapting to everything, it's now for us to go out and set it right in the second Test from day one."

David Warner who was the destructor in particular during the first Test will be the one to look out for as he scored centuries in both innings, Wagner said it was simply a matter of being tighter for longer spells.

"I think we still stick to our guns and our plans. If we execute it better for longer periods of time, I'm sure we'll get more rewards," he said. "I think our attack is up there with the best in the world. When Tim, Trent and Dougy 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. The boys are up for the task and the challenge in this Test."

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