New Delhi: Tim Southee will bid adieu to Test cricket at his home ground, Seddon Park in Hamilton, against England next month. Southee, who is New Zealand’s highest wicket-taker in international cricket, will however make himself available for the nation if the team qualifies for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final next June. With this, Southee will bring the curtains down on an illustrious 18-year career for New Zealand Cricket (NZC).
“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 said in a statement.
“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.”
New Zealand cricket great Tim Southee plans to finish his Test career at his home ground of Seddon Park in Hamilton against England this December. https://t.co/L0li6zMeAT
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) November 14, 2024
Southee initially shot to fame after taking 17 wickets at the U19 World Cup in 2008, at an average of only six, and was named the Player of the Tournament. In his decorated 18-year career, Southee led the bowling attack of New Zealand across all three formats. He appeared in four ODI World Cups for the Blackcaps, seven T20 World Cups, two Champions Trophy, and a WTC final during which he picked a five-wicket haul at Southampton.
He is New Zealand’s second-highest wicket-taker of all time in red-ball cricket. He claimed 385 wickets in 104 Test matches played to date and is the only player in the world to have bagged more than 300 Test wickets, 200 ODI wickets, and 100 T20I wickets. Southee recently played a crucial role in New Zealand’s historic 3-0 whitewash of India. Before the series, Southee has passed the captaincy reins to Tom Latham.
NZC management comments
Scott Weenink, NZC chief executive credited Southee as one of the greatest Kiwi players, specially acknowledging his contribution to the team’s red-ball success 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.
“From the moment he exploded on to the Test scene against England in Napier eighteen summers ago, he’s given his heart and soul to playing for New Zealand and has helped the team achieve some unthinkable results,” he added.
The team’s head coach Gary Stead was full of praise for the veteran cricketer saying that his durability and resilience have been outstanding as he contributed to setting up victories for New Zealand.
“He’s an incredibly tough competitor who gets himself up for big occasions and is rarely injured. Tim cares deeply about the team, its reputation and performances, and he will be missed within the BlackCaps environment. He now deserves some time with his family and I’m sure he will reflect very positively in years to come about his impact and achievements in the game,” Stead said.
Southee hasn’t taken any call on whether he will continue playing international white-ball cricket but the pacer has indicated that he would be available for domestic and franchise cricket in the future.
Tim Southee will bring curtains down on a stellar 18-year career for New Zealand Cricket after the conclusion of the three-match home Test series against England which starts on November 28 in Christchurch. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
