Kiwi stalwart Tim Southee is set to retire from Test cricket at his home ground, Seddon Park in Hamilton, against England this December. New Zealand’s top wicket-taker in international cricket, Southee will however make himself available for the Blackcaps should they qualify for the ICC World Test Championship Final next June.
“Representing New Zealand was all I ever dreamed of growing up. To play for the BlackCaps for 18 years has been the greatest honour and privilege, but the time feels right to now step away from the game that has given so much to me” Southee reflected.
“Test cricket holds a special place in my heart, so to be able to play such a big series against the same opponent my Test career began against all those years ago, and on three grounds that are incredibly special to me, seems the perfect way to end my time in the black cap.”
Southee burst into the limelight with his 17-wicket campaign at the U19 World Cup in 2008, at an average of just six, as he was named the Player of the Tournament. In his illustrious 18-year career since, Southee spearheaded the New Zealand bowling attack across all three formats, appearing in four ODI World Cups, two Champions Trophy tournaments, seven T20 World Cups and a WTC Final in which he claimed a fifer.
New Zealand’s second-highest wicket-taker of all time in Tests, Southee has claimed 385 Test wickets in 104 matches till date, and is the only bowler in the world to accomplish the treble of 300 Test wickets, 200 ODI wickets and 100 T20I wickets.
Recently, Southee was central to New Zealand’s historic 3-0 whitewash of India in India – a first by a visiting team since the 2012-13 season. Prior to the series, the experienced campaigner had relayed the captaincy baton to Tom Latham.
NZC chief executive Scott Weenink hailed Southee as one of New Zealand’s finest, crediting him in particular for the team’s red-ball progress over the past few years. “Tim has been a constant in the improving fortunes of the BlackCaps and he’ll be remembered as a giant of the modern New Zealand game,” he said.
"Fulfilling a childhood dream"
From a farm in Northland to the world stage! Hear from Tim Southee about his decision to retire from Test cricket after the upcoming Test series against England. Read more | https://t.co/L6IuX3jCea #NZvENG pic.twitter.com/93tdLszJky
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) November 15, 2024
