He was subsequently selected for the 1969 tour to England and made his Test debut in the first Test at Lord's. Owing to his superior batting potential he was selected ahead of incumbent keeper Barry Milburn, who had been first choice during the earlier home Test series against the West Indies. In the early days of his Test career Wadsworth's wicketkeeping seemed to weigh heavily on his batting and, after as many as 11 Tests, his batting average was no more than 7.00. By the time the New Zealanders got to the Caribbean for their 1971/72 series there must have been some doubt as to whether he would in fact take his place in the Test side for a series which the cricket world expected New Zealand to lose. In the event New Zealand cricket came of age that season. The five Tests all failed to produce a definite result, and the visitors exhibited an unexpected degree of talent and determination. In the first Test at Kingston, Jamaica, he joined Glen Turner at 108 for 5 and together they put on 220 for the 6th wicket, which remained the highest New Zealand partnership for that wicket for 15 years.