The South African-born player is always heading to the sideline with a niggle or two. Inevitably he returns, sometimes moments later, and picks up were he left off, running in hard and challenging the country's best batsmen with some hostile spells.
But there will be no Wagner to spearhead the Otago attack in its crucial game against Canterbury which gets under way in Rangiora today.
He left the field during Otago's drawn match with Central Districts at the University Oval last week with a knee complaint, and the competition's leading wicket-taker will take a break for what is, arguably, Otago's most important Plunket Shield match this summer.
"He is being rested but he is also stiff and sore," Otago coach Mike Hesson said.
"The outfield at the University Oval was pretty soft and sandy so a lot of the boys got real sore muscles.
"Obviously, if he was fully fit, he would have played."
Fellow left-armer Craig Smith has replaced Wagner in the 12. He performed well for Otago in the one-day competition, taking eight wickets at an average of 30. But Wagner's absence will be sorely felt. He has been in outstanding form in four-day cricket with 39 wickets at 18.84, including three five-wicket bags.
He is also closing in on Stephen Boock's Otago record season haul of 54 wickets achieved in 1978/79.
It is crucial Otago picks up some points in this round with just six points separating the top four sides with three rounds remaining.
Tournament leader Central Districts (28pts) will host the second-placed Northern Districts (26pts) in Napier.
Canterbury (23pts) is in third place with Otago a point behind, and Wellington (17pts) plays Auckland (8pts) at Colin Maiden Park.
"These next three games are important with all the top sides playing each other. Hopefully, we'll get four days of cricket. Unfortunately, the forecast is looking average so we will have to make the most of every over we get."
Fellow fast bowler James McMillan was poised to make his return but re-aggravated his hamstring strain.
"He was pretty much five minutes away from going but unfortunately has suffered a reoccurrence. So we decided not to risk him."
McMillan has not played since the 116-run win against Central Districts in Napier last month. Anthony Bullick will also sit out the game. He strained his quadriceps muscle last week.
There is some good news on the injury front with Aaron Redmond returning. He fractured a bone in his hand in mid February.
The question is where he will bat in the line-up with fellow openers Craig Cumming (504 at 45.81) and Michael Bracewell (198 at 49.50) both performing well. Redmond could drop down to No 3 with Shaun Haig or Darren Broom dropping out of the playing XI.
OTAGO v CANTERBURY
- Rangiora, today
• Otago: Craig Cumming (captain), Aaron Redmond, Michael Bracewell, Shaun Haig, Neil Broom, Darren Broom, Derek de Boorder, Mark Craig, Ian Butler, Warren McSkimming, Nick Beard, Craig Smith.
• Canterbury (possible): Rob Nicol, Michael Papps, Peter Fulton, Dean Brownlie, Shanan Stewart, Reece Young, Andrew Ellis, Todd Astle, Ryan McCone, Willie Lonsdale, Struan George, Matt Henry, Tom Latham.
