In bare numbers, Wagner had the far better match, but here's an example where numbers don't tell the full story because Bracewell had two catches spilled.
Wagner turned in a spirited eight-over spell on the final day, taking two for 26 to break the Sri Lankan resistance. He was so fired up at one point, that when he struck Vithanage full on his pad, having turned to roar his appeal, he was signalling for a referral while still in his follow through. The only problem, though, was the ball was edged into his pad.
He brings wholehearted enthusiasm to his work and Bracewell had a good tour of Australia, getting better as the series progressed.
Captain Brendon McCullum wasn't about to signal a preference when he reflected on the first-test win.
Speaking of Wagner's final day burst he said: "he bowled with hostility and, when he's in your team, you know that you've got those overs when you're going to be able to create some opportunities".
As for Bracewell: "I thought he bowled absolutely brilliantly throughout the test match and all through Australia as well and just hasn't got the rewards at the moment.
"I am sure at some stage Doug is going to get the rewards for his hard work. The good thing is he didn't get frustrated as well. It can be easy for a bowler who's bowling that well and things not quite working out in the wicket column that you can get quite frustrated."
If it comes down to an either-or situation in Hamilton - where both bowlers have played just one test (Bracewell taking 2-64 against South Africa three years ago; Wagner 3-101 against the West Indies late in 2013) there was a hint Bracewell might still have his nose in front.
He's had to work his way back into the side after a lengthy break through 2014. Wagner was having his first test since playing the same opposition at the end of last December.
It will be a tight call.
Then there's the spin issue. Off-spinner Mark Craig was 12th man in Dunedin and the question will be whether New Zealand play two spinners at Seddon Park.
In the last four tests in Hamilton, seamers took 98 of the 131 wickets.
Mitchell Santner has been the spinner of choice in New Zealand's last two tests, although no one would pretend he's the finished article by a long chalk.
Much will depend on the reading of the pitch, but an early guess might hazard the same XI walking out on Friday.
"We'll look at the surface and work out the combination and the dynamic we are after and then we'll make a decision," McCullum said.
The Options:
Doug Bracewell
Pro: Got better as Australian tour progressed. In form. Unlucky in Dunedin.
Con: Doesn't get as many wickets as he should.
Neil Wagner
Pro: Indefatigable. Runs in hard all day, full of vim.
Con: Can be expensive.
Mark Craig
Pro: Gets wickets, other than in Australia recently. Keeps an attacking mindset.
Con: New Zealand have generally favoured one spinner. Left-armer Mitchell Santner is making a good fist of his early tests, albeit years away from finished product.
