Best Test XI of 2019

11. Neil Wagner

If BJ Watling is the New Zealand of New Zealand, wonder what attribute one should give the relentless Neil Wagner, who just keeps running-in day-in-and-day-out and gets the job done for his skipper, even as more celebrated fast bowlers around the world hog the limelight.

The left-hander, who is currently engrossed in a great battle with Steven Smith in the ongoing Trans-Tasman Test series, had another year of consistent performances built of relentlessness, hostility, love for the game and the desire to win Test matches for his country. In six Test matches this year, the southpaw claimed 40 wickets at an average of 17.90 and a strike-rate of 37.8 including four five-wicket-hauls.

Best Spell- His ongoing battle with Steven Smith- 3-74 at an average of 24.66

Steve Smith may be the run-machine but as Neil Wagner has shown throughout the series against Australia, if you have a sustained plan against the champion batsman, then its possible to get the better of Smith. Wagner has constantly ployed the short-pitch stuff against Steven Smith, and by god! Hasn’t it worked with disdain! The left-hander has now claimed Smith on all three occasions in the ongoing series, conceding just 74 runs in the process.