Although the former New Zealand captain, Tim Southee, announced on Friday that the match series with England will be his last Test series as a player, the 35-year-old aims to end his career at the home ground in Hamilton. The unfailing seam bowler, who first played against England in a Test match that was held in Napier back in 2008, has also been playing ever since in spite of 385 Tests wickets taken in 104 matches which is second after Richard Hadlee (431) for any New Zealander. “Growing up, all I ever wanted was to represent New Zealand,” said Southee.
“But I feel that it is time for me to walk away from the sport that has given me so much.
“The test format has a different place in my heart,” he further added.
“Therefore it is quite fitting that after all these years, my last series, especially with the New Zealand flag adorning my cap, will be against the same team where my test career commenced in those early years, played in three grounds which are so dear to my heart.”
Southee captained the side and led six wins, six failures and a couple draws before he relinquished duties for Tom Latham at the beginning of last month, who oversaw a 3-0 Test whitewash of India.
Bowlers such as him only face 296 balls in one innings or less and thus he has is also the only cricketer across the globe to take 300 plus Test Wickets, 200 ODI Wickets and 100 T20 Wickets.
The chief executive of New Zealand Cricket, Scott Weenink, paid tribute to him as one of the best cricketers this nation has ever produced.
“Tim has been a mainstay in the rising powers of the Blackcaps and he will go down in history as a true legend of New Zealand cricket in this modern era,” he said.
“Tim has an outstanding wealth of experience and knowledge about the game and even though he has hung up his boots probably I would be surprised if we don t get to see him in a different role at some point.”
After the three-Test England series that starts in Christchurch on November 28, Southee will make a call on whether to bring down the curtain on his ODI career or not.
New Zealand hosts Sri Lanka for three ODIs and three T20s starting December 28.
Blackcaps coach Gary Stead narrated that there was no need to elaborate on Southee’s record.
“Tim’s ability to withstand rigors has been exceptional,” he stated.
“He is an extremely strong rival who raises his game for the big contours and is hardly ever seen on the sidelines nursing an injury.
“Tim is very concerned about the team and its image and how it performs, so he will be a great loss to the Blackcaps set up.”
Download the CricInformer app
Take CricInformer with you. Get our app for cricket news and updates on your phone.