19 Apr 2012

Otago fast bowler cleared to play for New Zealand

6:58 pm on 19 April 2012

The International Cricket Council's cleared Otago fast bowler and South African Neil Wagner to play for New Zealand.

The ICC's ruled Wagner can be selected for the Black Caps after ruling on two applications for exceptional circumstances.

ICC regulations state Wagner had to reside in New Zealand for a minimum of 183 days for four consecutive years to qualify.

Wagner, who's 26, moved to New Zealand in 2008 but missed the required number of days on two occasions.

Once was while he was playing for Otago in the Champions League and the other for a family wedding.

Wagner says the past few months haven't been easy and its a relief to be ruled eligibility.

The Black Caps next international assignments are tours to the West Indies and India, followed by the Twenty20 World Cup in Sri Lanka, in September