Tim Southee, the top pacer from New Zealand has confirmed that he’ll be retiring from Test cricket after the upcoming home series against England, unless his team qualifies for next year’s ICC World Test Championship final which will be held in June.
Tim Southee Set To Retire After England Series
The 35-year-old bowler, who has been a core component of New Zealand’s pace attack for over a decade, will retire from Test cricket at his home ground in Hamilton, Seddon Park, when the third Test of the series will take place from December 14-18.
Tim Southee’s Stunning Career
Southee has 770 wickets in his kitty in all formats. In the Tests, he takes the second position only to the legendary Richard Hadlee as he has aggregated 385 wickets in 104 Test appearances.
While closing on his Test career, Southee has also announced that he would take a decision on his white ball cricket by end December when New Zealand hosts Sri Lanka. Making international debut in 2008, Southee has cemented his name as the first cricketer to play over 100 matches in all three formats of the game. Today, he stands tall as the only bowler to have 300 Test wickets, 200 ODI wickets, and 100 T20I wickets; these statistics show his performances to be consistent and for such a long time as a bowler.
The Most Remarkable Bowler For New Zealand
It marks the end of an era in New Zealand cricket because Southee has been the only fast bowler instrumental in the success of this team in all formats. His retirement from Tests means that one of the most distinguished careers in cricket in the last century is drawing to its conclusion.
‘Test Cricket Holds A Special Place In My Heart’: Southee
“Representing New Zealand was all I ever dreamed of growing up,” he said, as mentioned by ICC
“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.
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“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,” Southee said
