Tim Southee Announces Retirement From Test Cricket, Set To Play Final Match In Home Series Against England

Tim Southee has announced retirement from Test cricket and is set to play his career's final Test in the upcoming New Zealand vs England series at his home ground, Seddon Park, in December.

Tim Southee Announces Test Retirement: Tim Southee, the New Zealand veteran pacer, has announced retirement from Test cricket. Southee is set to retire from red-ball cricket after New Zealand’s third and final Test against England in their upcoming series at home. The 3rd NZ vs ENG Test will take place at Southee’s home ground, Seddon Park in Hamilton from December 15-19. New Zealand's all-time leading wicket-taker in international cricket, Southee will remain available for selection should the team qualify for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final next June.

Southee, who has 385 Test wickets in 104 matches, 221 ODI wickets in 161 matches and 164 wickets in 125 T20Is for New Zealand, made his international debut for the country back in March, 2008 against England in a home T20I at Eden Park, Auckland.

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Playing For New Zealand All I Ever Dreamed Of: Southee

Tim Southee expressed that representing New Zealand was a lifelong dream and playing for the Blackcaps for 18 years has been a tremendous honour for him, but he feels it's 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. 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,” Tim Southee said as per NZC.

Southee's remarkable all-round abilities are highlighted by the fact that he is the only player in history to surpass 300 Test wickets, 200 ODI wickets and 100 T20I wickets.

“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," said Southee further.

Team's head coach Gary Stead too heaped praise on Southee for his contributions for New Zealand cricket. Stead highlighted Southee's toughness, his ability to rise to big occasions, and his commitment to the team. 

"Tim's durability and resilience has been outstanding," Stead said. "He's an incredibly tough competitor who gets himself up for big occasions and is rarely injured. Tim cares deeply about the team, its reputation and performances, and he will be missed within the BlackCaps environment. He now deserves some time with his family and I'm sure he will reflect very positively in years to come about his impact and achievements in the game," Gary Stead said.