Wellington [New Zealand], February 28 : Ahead of the first Test against the Kiwis in Wellington, Australian skipper Pat Cummins lauded New Zealand's retiring pacer Neil Wagner, calling him a "wonderful competitor" and pointing out that he admired the way he created problems for batters in a "non-traditional way".

The first Test of the two-match Test series between Australia and New Zealand will take place in Wellington. Ahead of the game on Thursday, Kiwi fast bowler Wagner announced his retirement from international cricket.

The left-arm bowler finished his Test career fifth overall on the list of New Zealand Test wicket-takers, with 260 scalps coming at an average of around 27 in 64 matches.

Cummins, while talking to reporters ahead of the game, acknowledged Wagner's abilities. "He has been a wonderful competitor whenever we have played him over the years. Seeing the way he has created problems for batters in a non-traditional way, I have really admired from afar," Cummins said, according to cricket.com.au.

Cummins also admitted that he enjoyed playing as a regular player under the leadership of skipper Mitchell Marsh and vice-captain Matthew Wade during the recently concluded T20I series between two sides, which ended 3-0 in Australia's favour.

"I really enjoyed it, with Marshy and Wadey taking up the reins I felt like I could just be a player," said Cummins.

He said that just worrying about his own skills in a format that he has not played for a while was very relaxing as compared to his job as a skipper, where he had to take the team together and also make appearances in front of the media.