The veteran New Zealand fast bowler, Tim Southee not thinking much about his axing from the team for the new year’s Test against Australia and focus on the series against India. After playing in the first two matches, Matt Henry replaced Southee in the playing XI. He admitted he was disappointed at the time, but aims to continue contributing to the team’s cause even when not a part of the XI.
As per the quotes at www.stuff.co.nz., Southee said, “I don’t think you can take it personally — they make the decisions based on what they think is best for the team. You’re gutted every time you’re left out. It’s an absolute dream to play for New Zealand and every time you do miss out it hurts, but you’ve got to respect the decisions and try to help out and give back to the team, even when you’re not playing.”
Southee’s focus is now on the T20I series against India which is scheduled to commence on Friday and he said it was nice to be playing a different format.
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The veteran pacer further added, “We had a big chunk of Test cricket and the guys that were in Australia are reasonably experienced guys…they’ve had tough tours before and they’ve bounced back. It’s about making that adjustment. What’s gone is gone and it was very disappointing, the guys would have learned from it, and now we’ve got to look forward to the Indian series.”
Southee was one of four players to play in all 12 of the Black Caps’ T20I matches last year and also led the side in nine of them, with Kane Williamson rested for one at the start of the year, then injured when they visited Sri Lanka and hosted England. The regular skipper is set to make his first international appearance in the T20Is since last summer on Friday, and Southee will offer him whatever support he needs.
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The stand-in skipper said, “I enjoy thinking about the game and it makes you think outside of what you’re doing. I also try to help Kane out as well — it’s nice to have those senior guys (helping you) and Ross (Taylor) was good having captained the side in the past. It’s a different challenge when you captain and it’s something I enjoyed, but Kane’s doing a great job, so I’ll just try to help him out.”
