After toiling to defeat in the first Test with Australia, the Black Caps have left the door ever-so-slightly ajar for a sensational return for retired pace bowler Neil Wagner.
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New Zealand were handily beaten by Australia in the series opener at the Basin Reserve, coming up 172 runs short on Sunday.
The loss, and an injury concern vern Will O'Rourke, have prompted calls for 37-year-old Wagner to return for the second Test in Christchurch beginning next Friday, which would be 10 days after he retired.
The fan favourite was named in the Black Caps squad for the Australia series but instead opted to retire when coach Gary Stead told him he wouldn't be picked.
Stead observed a drop in Wagner's speed and intensity during last month's Test win over South Africa, prompting a tough conversation with the quick.
After the first Test loss to Australia, Southee was asked three times whether Wagner would be considered, and each time, he didn't rule out his selection.
"(Wagner) had a great reception here over the last last week and got a couple of moments on the field. He's been a fan favourite for a long time," he said.
"But the Test match just finished so we'll see how Will scrubs up and we'll go from there."
Southee ruled out the return of another Black Caps veteran, Trent Boult, who continues internationally in T20 but hasn't played a Test for almost two years.
"I don't think his loading is up to it on the back of T20 cricket ... it's a bridge too far," said fellow paceman Southee.
The clamour for Wagner has been led by fans both eager to see his return, and to see Scott Kuggeleijn dropped.
Kuggeleijn - a controversial figure after a 2017 acquittal for rape - was ordinary at the Basin Reserve in just his second Test for the Black Caps, finishing with 2-75 and 0-18.
At 32, Kuggeleijn offers little for the future of the Black Caps' attack and was guilty of poor fielding against Australia.
But Wagner's return would require a major backdown from Stead, who is more likely to consider a Test debut for Jacob Duffy or T20 tearaway Ben Sears.
At the Basin, Southee lamented his side's inability to stop Cam Green and Josh Hazlewood's 116-run partnership on day two.
New Zealand lined up with an all-pace attack - leaving spinner Mitch Santner out - only to find a turning pitch with Nathan Lyon taking 10 wickets and Kiwi part-timer Glenn Phillips taking five in the second innings.
"We certainly didn't think it was going to spin as much as it did (or) the turn or bounce that was on offer over the last last couple of days," he said.
"We'll go to Hagley and we'll assess the wicket hopefully a little bit better than we did here."
Australian Associated Press
