Durham Cricket are pleased to announce New Zealand fast bowler Neil Wagner will return to the Club this season.
The left-arm seamer re-joins Durham after a short stint last summer and will be available in the Rothesay County Championship for the final four months of the season – starting at home against Sussex on 22 June.
An experienced seamer on the international and domestic circuits, Wagner recently retired internationally for the Black Caps having taken 260 wickets from 64 Tests.
With over 200 first-class games under his belt, Wagner has claimed 841 first-class wickets and will further strengthen the Durham seam attack going into the final months of the season.
Wagner impressed on his Durham first-class debut with 4 wickets in a win against Nottinghamshire – but injury cut short his stint to just one red ball game and three List A games.
He has been a regular on the English County circuit, with spells at Northamptonshire, Lancashire, Essex and Somerset.
Neil Wagner said: “I am extremely excited to join Durham again!
“I loved and enjoyed my short time their last season, which was unfortunately shortened by injury, but I feel like I have some unfinished business with wanting to contribute and play a role for a great club.
“I met some awesome people during my last time in Durham and can’t wait to join up with the lads again and play some exciting cricket.”
Director of Cricket, Marcus North said: “We are delighted that Neil is returning to Durham this season for a large block of the summer.
“We saw during his short spell with us last season how much of an influential character he was in the changing room, so when the opportunity presented for Neil to return it was an easy decision.
“His left arm pace complements our bowling attack immensely and his record speaks for itself with over 800 first-class wickets to his name, we are really pleased to welcome him back in June and see him play a key role in our County Championship success”.