Tim Southee, a seasoned bowler for New Zealand, has declared his intention to retire from Test cricket following the forthcoming three-match series against England at home. His retirement is subject to a condition, though, in that Southee will postpone it if New Zealand advances to the World Test Championship (WTC) Final.
With an astounding total of 770 wickets across all formats of the game, Southee has become New Zealand’s leading wicket-taker in sharply international cricket. As such, he has 385 wickets under his belt with an average of 29.89 coming in 104 Test matches after joining the Black Caps Test squad in 2008. His record is phenomenal with one ten-wicket haul and fifteen five-wicket hauls.
As he takes a bow from the games of Test cricket at his home ground, the new series with England in which Southee plays will be teary.
“To play for the BLACKCAPS for 18 years has been the greatest honor”- Tim Southee
Tim Southee told the media that it has been an honor to represent New Zealand for 18 years and that the time has come to retire. Southee went on to say that it was very special to him to play his final Test series at the same location and against the same opponent.
“Representing New Zealand was all I ever dreamed of growing up. To play for the BLACKCAPS for 18 years has been the greatest honor and privilege, but the time feels right to now step away from the game that has given so much to me,” Southee said, as quoted by nzc.nz.
“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,” he added.
The 2008 U19 World Cup saw Southee, a pacer, win Player of the Tournament, which catapulted him to stardom. Before resigning, he temporarily led the New Zealand Test squad as captain. With six victories and six defeats in 14 Test matches, Southee captained New Zealand and endured 0–2 thrashings at the hands of Australia and Sri Lanka.
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