Southee is the only player in the world to have taken over 300 Test, 200 ODI, and 100 T20I wickets.
New Zealand’s legendary pacer and former captain, Tim Southee, will retire from Test cricket after the upcoming three-match home series against England, as announced by New Zealand Cricket on Friday.
However, he will stay available if New Zealand reaches the World Test Championship (WTC) Final in June next year. Former KKR pacer, Southee, also confirmed that he will remain available for domestic and franchise cricket.
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The series with England will kick off with two Tests in Christchurch (November 28 to December 2) and Wellington (December 6 to 10). The final Test, marking Southee’s farewell, will take place at his home ground, Seddon Park in Hamilton, from December 14 to 18.
Having been a crucial member of the New Zealand Test squad that recently achieved a historic feat in India, Southee will turn 36 by the time the third Test kicks off in Hamilton on December 14. He shared that while the decision to retire wasn’t easy, he feels content with it.
Southee will also be evaluating his future in white-ball cricket. New Zealand are set to host Sri Lanka soon after, with a three-match T20 and ODI series beginning on December 28.
Across his career, Southee has featured in 104 Tests, claiming 385 wickets, placing him as New Zealand’s second-highest wicket-taker, just behind Sir Richard Hadlee.
Since his Test debut against England in 2008, Southee has become New Zealand’s most successful bowler across all formats, amassing a remarkable 770 wickets. Notably, he’s the only player in the world to have taken over 300 Test, 200 ODI, and 100 T20I wickets.
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Tim Southee bids farewell to Test Cricket after 18 years
In a message shared by New Zealand Cricket, Southee said it had been a great honour to play for the BLACKCAPS for 18 years. He added that it felt like the right time to step away from the game that has given him so much.
“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.
Southee expressed that Test cricket holds a unique place in his heart, making it particularly meaningful to end his career against the same team he debuted with, at grounds that are special to him. He also shared gratitude for the support of his family, friends, coaches, fans, and everyone who helped him throughout his career, saying it’s been an incredible journey he would not change.
“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 added.
“I’ll always be so grateful to my family, friends, coaches, our fans and everyone involved in the game who has supported me and my career over the years. “It’s been an amazing ride and I wouldn’t change a thing,” Southee concluded.
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