Blackcaps call-up Doug Bracewell's versatility could see him leapfrog Scott Kuggeleijn in the queue for the second test against Sri Lanka at Wellington.
The 32-year-old last played a test for New Zealand in 2016, but has earned a late call-up after a standout season for Central Districts in the Plunket Shield.
Bracewell was unavailable for the England series with an injury, which saw Kuggeleijn and Blair Tickner make their test debuts.
But with Wagner to miss the rest of the season with a torn hamstring and bulging disc, Bracewell could find himself in the XI to play at the Basin Reserve.
Blackcaps captain Tim Southee lauded Bracewell's adaptability, and believes it's a timely call-up for the in-form pace bowler.
"We've obviously added Doug to the squad and it's a deserved call up with what he's done in domestic cricket the last number of years. It's exciting to have him and his skillset," he said.
"It's been a tough side to crack into, but Doug's always been there or thereabouts. He's played a couple of limited overs games in that time and performed well at domestic level as well.
"The way he bowls, just that consistent line, the areas that bowls, and the ability to bowl at different stages throughout the game and his ability with the bat as well.
"Just an all-round solid cricketer, good fielder. Pleased for him to get a well-deserved call up after a long time."
Neither Bracewell or Kuggeleijn offer a like-for-like replacement for left arm bowler Wagner, but that's not necessarily what the Blackcaps are looking for.
Instead, Southee is looking forward to seeing how the incumbent fairs in place of the irreplaceable workhorse.
"He's [Wagner] been a regular member of the side for a long time," he said. "He's missed the odd test here and there, but he's unique to any side [with] what he offers. His ability to do something that not many people can do in test cricket in terms of the short stuff."
"It's slightly different not having Neil, but that presents an opportunity for someone else to come in and play a test match.
"That's where Doug is very versatile, he can do a number of different roles. Other sides have tried to do what Neil does around the world and no one seems to have been able to do it at the effect that Neil does.
"I don't think it's about replacing Neil, it's about using the tools and skills whatever bowler gets selected is capable of."
