Best XI from the least hated cricketers

11) Neil Wagner

It might be extremely difficult for any team to hold a grudge against the New Zealand team who always treats their opponents like friendly neighbors. Even their fast-bowlers are so nice that they keep their aggression limited to sharp bouncers. The best example is Neil Wagner who was one of the leading wicket-takers in Tests in 2019.

The left-arm pacer has been an under-rated bowler of the New Zealand Test team. In his 47 appearances, he has taken more than 200 wickets including 9 fifers. Interestingly most of those wickets have come when the team’s star bowlers Trent Boult and Tim Southee are done with their new-ball spells. From that, one can say that Wagner has mostly got his wickets in tough conditions.

Unlike other fast bowlers, Wagner doesn’t rely much on swing and seam. He utilizes the chin music to scare the batsmen and most of them including Steve Smith have fallen prey to his tactics. However, his aggressive bowling is a sharp contrast to his on-field behavior. He might be competitive but he never crosses the line. Besides, he always respects his opponents and his fist bump to Smith in the series against Australia is enough to prove the point.