Neil Wagner: Essex re-sign New Zealand seamer for all formats

Neil Wagner took 31 wickets for Essex last year

New Zealand seamer Neil Wagner will rejoin county champions Essex in May.

The 31-year-old is available for all formats and has signed until the end of July, though he could extend his stay until the end of the campaign.

He began last season with the Chelmsford side and returned for their final three County Championship games as they lifted the title.

"We have been working hard on bringing Neil back for a while," said Essex head coach Anthony McGrath.

Essex have already signed 33-year-old Australia paceman Peter Siddle for the start of the 2018 campaign, with Wagner set to replace him.

South Africa-born left-armer Wagner has won 34 Test caps for the Kiwis and the option to extend his deal will be subject to the approval of New Zealand.

He has taken 607 first-class wickets at an average of 26.86 and 144 wickets in Test matches.

"Once I knew there was an opportunity to come back to Essex, I was very keen to get back to Chelmsford and build on the hard work and success of last season," Wagner added.