The Black Caps test bowler and Otago left-armer has really laboured with the white ball this summer.
In four one-day games for the Volts, Wagner took two wickets at an average of 97. He will probably flinch reading that line but that is how much he has struggled.
The twenty20 campaign was slightly more productive in terms of wickets - five at 44.20 from six games - but he got absolutely clobbered.
The 31-year-old has been our best test bowler for the past few years but he bowled either too full or too short during the Super Smash and conceded an average of 11.53 runs an over.
But with the Plunket Shield set to resume today, Wagner is keen to put his limited-overs form behind him.
Central Districts is hosting Otago at McLean Park and it is an opportunity for Wagner to show the sort of form which has enabled him to take 144 test wickets at an average of 27.87.
It is an impressive record but the left-armer has always harboured a desire to play limited-overs cricket at international level as well.
When he was not getting a look in, he decided to try something different and it is fair to say the experiment failed.
''I think this season I've tried a lot of different things and I guess I focused a little too much on trying to improve than sticking to what has worked,'' he said.
''I put a bit too much pressure on myself and was focusing on things outside of my control [Black Caps selection] and that was a bit of a mistake.
''I was trying too hard to, I guess, be successful.
''I just have to simplify things and do the best I can for Otago by trying to win games.''
Wagner made a wonderful start to the summer with a career-best seven for 39 to set up an innings win in the opening test against the West Indies in December.
He picked up some key wickets in the second test as well and was well-placed for a solid domestic season.
But while the limited-over campaigns did not go as planned, Wagner has bowled well during the Plunket Shield.
He has 17 wickets at 25.52 and the Volts will need him at his best if the team is going to climb a spot or two on the competition standings.
Otago has one win from five games and is near the bottom with 36 points. Central Districts is near the top with 77 points and has played consistent cricket in all three formats this season.
Wagner is looking for a strong performance to remind selectors how crucial he is with the test series against England fast approaching.
But he is also very motivated to help Otago finish off a disappointing season with a good showing in the second half of the first-class tournament.
The Volts mean a lot to Wagner.
He moved to Dunedin from South Africa for the 2008-09 season and has remained loyal to the province.
But rumours he is leaving Otago to join another association have been circulating for months.
''I have bought a house in the Mount [Mt Maunganui] but that is as far as it goes. That does not mean I will not be playing for Otago,'' he said when asked if he was looking at changing allegiances.
''I'm an out and out Otago man and, I guess, that is the main thing for me.''
