Former New Zealand captain Tim Southee mentioned Friday the workforce’s upcoming Take a look at sequence with England can be his final, with the 35-year-old set to complete up at his residence floor in Hamilton. The irrepressible seam bowler made his debut in opposition to England at Napier in 2008 and has been a mainstay since, taking 385 wickets in his 104 Assessments — second solely to Richard Hadlee (431) amongst New Zealanders. “Representing New Zealand was all I ever dreamed of rising up,” Southee mentioned.
“However the time feels proper to now step away from the sport that has given a lot to me.
“Take a look at cricket holds a particular place in my coronary heart,” he added.
“So to have the ability to play such an enormous sequence in opposition to the identical opponent my Take a look at profession started in opposition to all these years in the past, and on three grounds which can be extremely particular to me, appears the proper solution to finish my time within the black cap.”
Southee captained the aspect to 6 wins, six losses and two attracts after taking up from Kane Williamson in 2022 earlier than handing over the baton final month to Tom Latham, who led them to a 3-0 Take a look at sweep in India.
Southee’s all-round abilities and consistency has seen him turn into the one participant on the planet to assert greater than 300 Take a look at wickets, 200 ODI wickets and 100 T20 wickets.
New Zealand Cricket chief government Scott Weenink saluted him as one of many nation’s most interesting gamers.
“Tim has been a relentless within the enhancing fortunes of the Blackcaps and he’ll be remembered as a large of the fashionable New Zealand sport,” he mentioned.
“Tim has an unbelievable financial institution of expertise and information of the sport and whereas he could have known as time on his taking part in profession, I might be stunned if we do not see him in one other capability throughout the long run.”
Southee will decide after the three-Take a look at England sequence, which will get underneath approach in Christchurch on November 28, on whether or not he has one closing white-ball farewell in him.
New Zealand face Sri Lanka in three ODIs and three T20s at residence from December 28.
Blackcaps coach Gary Stead mentioned Southee’s document spoke for itself.
“Tim’s sturdiness and resilience has been excellent,” he mentioned.
“He is an extremely powerful competitor who will get himself up for large events and is never injured.
“Tim cares deeply in regards to the workforce, its repute and performances, and he will likely be missed throughout the Blackcaps atmosphere.”
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