Not so great news for the fans of the New Zealand cricket team because the most senior fast bowler of the team, Tim Southee has announced his retirement from Test cricket. Yes, you read that right, pace bowler Tim Southee who is also the highest wicket-taker for New Zealand in international cricket, will retire from the test cricket. Since Tim Southee revealed his plans, the cricket fans are waiting to see him in action for the one last time.
Key Highlights
- Tim Southee has represented the New Zealand cricket team for 18 years.
- He will be retired from Test cricket in December 2024.
- Tim Southee will play his career’s last Test match against England at his home ground Seddon Park in Hamilton.
- If New Zealand qualifies for the final of ICC WTC then he will be available to play for his country in June.
Tim Southee is one of the most famous cricketers from New Zealand. He is counted as one of the most experienced and skillful fast bowlers in the world right now. Not to mention, Tim Southee has come a very long way to get the tag of a senior player in his team. He also led his team on several occasions in the absence of regular captains. In the team, he always played the role of the leader of the team’s pace attack. However, all the good things always come to an end and Tim Southee will also bid goodbye to Test cricket very soon. Recently, Tim Southee announced his Test career. He thinks it is the right time to say that he is done with the red ball cricket. Tim Southee is all set to take retirement from Test cricket after playing the last series of his Test career.
The fast bowler said that he always dreamed of representing New Zealand while growing up. He also expressed his greatest honor and privilege for playing for the BlackCaps for 18 years before saying that the time feels right to now step away from the game that has given so much to him. Tim Southee further added that Test cricket always has been very special for him. He can play a big series against the same team his Test career started against all those years ago. He also expressed his special connections with three grounds that are special to him. He thinks it will be the perfect way to end his career in the black cap.
Tim Southee will play his career’s last Test match against England in December 2024. Interestingly, he will bid goodbye to his Test career at the venue which is his home ground, Seddon Park in Hamilton. However, Tim Southee who is the most successful bowler of New Zealand in international cricket, will be available to play the final of the ICC World Test Championship in June if New Zealand qualifies. If we talk about the highest wicket-taker for New Zealand in Test cricket, then Tim Southee comes in second place with a total of 385 Test wickets in 104 matches as of now. Notably, he is the only player in the world to have played more than 300 Test matches, 200 ODIs matches, and 100 T20Is matches. His contribution to the New Zealand cricket team’s success is huge. He even played a vital role in New Zealand’s historic win against India in India.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Tim Southee will play the last match of his Test career against England which was also the first team he faced in his Test career.
- In the U19 World Cup 2008, Tim Southee became the Player of the Tournament.
