Essex County Cricket Club are delighted to announce the signing of New Zealand International bowler Neil Wagner for the first half of the 2017 season.
The 30-year-old will join the Club during pre-season and will be available for selection in both the Royal London One-Day Cup and Specsavers County Championship up until the end of June.
The left-arm seamer has represented New Zealand in 27 Tests taking 108 wickets including a best of 6 for 41.
Wagner also linked up with Lancashire CCC last year in the Specsavers County Championship Division One taking 32 wickets in nine matches at an average of 29.28.
Chris Silverwood will look to Wagner to bring valuable experience to a youthful bowling attack during the Club’s foray into Division One next season.
Silverwood said: “Neil will bring vast experience at the highest level to the Club, as well as a skill set that will be valuable in the opening months of the season.
“He performed excellently for Lancashire last year and is also useful with the bat lower down the order. Hopefully he can help us hit the ground running in 2017.”
Wagner is thrilled to be joining the Club and added: “I really enjoyed my time in England with Lancashire last season, but I am excited about linking up with Essex and building on the team’s success in 2016.
“I want to bring my experience to the team and help us win games. I hope to help the squad get off to a good start in both competitions.”
Essex’s Overseas signings are in partnership with Seven Investment Management, the Eagles’ NatWest T20 Blast sponsor.
