Veteran New Zealand player Tim Southee announced his retirement from Test cricket at his home ground, Seddon Park in Hamilton, against England. New Zealand’s leading wicket-taker in international cricket, Southee will play for the country if they qualify for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final next June as well.
“Representing New Zealand was all I ever dreamed of growing up,” Southee said. “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. 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.”
Notably, Tim Southee made headlines with his 17-wicket campaign at the U19 World Cup in 2008, which came at an average of just six, to be named the Player of the Tournament. In his 18-year career since, he led New Zealand’s bowling attack across formats, featuring in four ODI World Cups, seven T20 World Cups, two Champions Trophy tournaments, and a WTC Final where he scalped a fifer at Southampton as well.
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Moreover, New Zealand’s second-highest wicket-taker of all time in Tests, Southee has scalped 385 Test wickets in 104 matches so far, and he is the only player in the world to pick up more than 300 Test scalps, 200 in ODIs and 100 in T20Is as well. Moreover, Southee played a key all-round role in New Zealand’s historic 3-0 series whitewash of India in India as well.
On the other hand, NZC chief executive Scott Weenink named Southee one of New Zealand’s greatest, giving credit to him for the team’s Test 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.”
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“There’s already unprecedented interest in this England Test tour and I’m sure the chance to farewell one of our all-time greats will only further drive the anticipation and hype for this series. Tim has an incredible bank of experience and knowledge of the game and while he may have called time on his playing career, I’d be surprised if we don’t see him in another capacity at some stage in the future.”
Meanwhile, the team’s head coach Gary Stead also praised Tim Southee for his stunning contributions to New Zealand as well.
“Tim’s durability and resilience has been outstanding,” Stead said. “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.”
