New Zealand's final day hero at Bay Oval has admitted he finds his 'dark place' when it comes time to intimidate the world's best batsman.
Neil Wagner bowled the Blackcaps to victory on day five of the first test against England, taking 5/44 in victory.
Wagner's test wicket-taking feats in 2019 have seen the left-arm bowler jump to no.3 in the world rankings.
The 33-year-old has 24 scalps in six tests at an average of 14.91.
His short-pitched bowling attack was ridiculed by some when he first started implementing the tactic, but the results are undebatable - the South African born bowler's 182 test wickets enough for seventh all-time for New Zealand.
But Wagner admits it hasn't come easy. A relatively quiet bloke off the park, Wagner is arguably the most aggressive natured player in New Zealand cricket history on it.
"I have to sometimes go to a bit of a dark place to do what I do because it's not easy bowling bouncer after bouncer - it takes its toll," Wagner told Newshub.
"I'm passionate and I love representing my country and the sacrifices made to get to this point make it all worth a little bit of hard work.
"You want to make the most of this opportunity to play test cricket.
"You want that ball in your hand during that final session - because sitting in the changing rooms with my mates after we win a test match for New Zealand - I love the satisfaction on everyone's face and know that I contributed to that."
Despite his recent success, Wagner doesn't take his position in the side for granted. With New Zealand's quick bowling stocks at an all-time high in terms of quality depth, the 43-test veteran knows he needs to continue to perform. Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry and Doug Bracewell are all waiting in the wings for an opportunity.
"I don't think you ever feel like you're in a good place because then you can worry about things and overthink when it's not going your way.
"Things can change pretty quickly so you need to keep your head down and your feet planted to the floor and focus on what's in front of you.
"Yesterday is kinda in the past, so it's always important to focus on tomorrow. Take things day by day, keep contributing in whatever way you can and work to improve on facets of your play.
"I don't see myself as the most talented or best player going around. I see myself as a guy who's constantly working on his game as hard as I can. I don't have the tools or armoury that other players do.
"I just keep it simple, keep grafting and do what I do best, which I guess is bowling a lot of overs and stay fit.
"I just want to find ways to contribute to the team and be the best I can."
The success of Trent Boult and Tim Southee as a pair, 511 test wickets between them, was the catalyst for Wagner's career-defining decision to move away from line and length.
The selfless teammate felt he could offer more to the side with a different type of attack than the swing-bowling duet in front of him.
"I felt I needed to find a point of difference so that's when I started to try and bang the ball in and try and find different modes in my game to make Tim and Trent more dangerous.
"I wanted to be the guy who bowls around them.
"It's been swings and roundabouts where some days you bowl well with no reward like Tim the other day or you're a little off but you get the wickets. That's the way it goes and we all try and contribute to a Blackcaps win."
Wagner has another chance to add to his growing legend in the second test, currently underway in Hamilton.
