Veteran New Zealand pacer Tim Southee bid a heartfelt farewell to Test cricket on December 14 during the third and final Test against England at Seddon Park, Hamilton. Southee, who announced his retirement from the format last month, experienced an emotional moment before the start of play.
He stepped onto the field with his young daughter, accompanied by his teammates, to a warm reception from the crowd. This poignant gesture set the stage for a day dedicated to celebrating his illustrious career. New Zealand, already out of contention for the ICC World Test Championship final, sought to give their legendary bowler a memorable send-off despite trailing 0-2 in the series.
A Legacy to Remember
Tim Southee’s Test career stands as a testament to consistency and brilliance. In 106 matches, he has taken 389 wickets at an average of 30.21, including 15 five-wicket hauls, making him New Zealand’s second-highest Test wicket-taker after Sir Richard Hadlee (431 wickets). Across all formats, Southee’s tally of 774 international wickets is the highest for any New Zealand bowler.
Known for his ability to swing the ball and deliver under pressure, he has been a cornerstone of the Black Caps’ bowling unit for over a decade. Tributes poured in from former and current teammates, hailing him as a role model who exemplified the spirit of playing for New Zealand.
Guard of Honour and Standing Ovation
The farewell celebrations reached their emotional peak when Southee walked out to bat after the fall of New Zealand’s eighth wicket. In a remarkable gesture, the England team, led by Ben Stokes, formed a guard of honour, while the crowd at Seddon Park gave a standing ovation.
Southee acknowledged the applause and responded with a spirited cameo, smashing 23 runs off just 10 balls, including three sixes. His aggressive stroke play brought joy to the fans and added crucial runs to New Zealand’s innings. Southee was the last wicket to fall on Day 1, as the Black Caps ended at 315/9.
Despite Southee’s heroics, England dominated much of the day, exploiting limited seam and swing under overcast conditions. New Zealand’s innings saw late resistance from Mitchell Santner, who scored an unbeaten 50 off 54 balls. Though England ended the day with the upper hand, the occasion belonged to Southee, whose career and contributions were celebrated in grand style.
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