New Zealand cricket great Tim Southee plans to finish his Test career at his home ground of Seddon Park in Hamilton against England this December.
The BLACKCAPS all-time leading international wicket-taker (770) confirmed the marque three-Test series against England would be his last for New Zealand, unless the side qualified for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final next June - for which he’d make himself available.
Following the England series, Southee will make a decision on whether he has one final BLACKCAPS white-ball swansong against Sri Lanka after Christmas.
Raised on a farm in Waiotira, Whangarei and hailing from the Maungakaramea Cricket Club, Southee’s illustrious 18-year international career has seen him chalk up 391 internationals and numerous national and international records (listed below).
Southee’s impressive all-round skillsets, durability, and consistency have seen him become the only player in the world to claim more than 300 Test wickets, 200 ODI wickets and 100 T20I wickets.
Part of the Test squad which recently created history in India, Southee will be 36 by the time the third Test in Hamilton starts on December 14 and said it was a tough decision to retire, but one which he was at peace with.
“Representing New Zealand was all I ever dreamed of growing up,” he said.
“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.
“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."
Southee saluted the new crop of fast bowlers who had emerged in recent years and looked forward to passing the baton to them.
“I’ve really loved working with these exciting young bowlers and watching them perform at the highest level. Now it’s their turn to take this team forward and they know I’ll always be there to support, from near or far.”
NZC chief executive Scott Weenink saluted Southee as one of New Zealand’s greatest cricketers, acknowledging in particular the massive role he played in the side that rose to prominence over the past decade.
“Tim has been a constant in the improving fortunes of the BLACKCAPS and he’ll be remembered as a giant of the modern New Zealand game,” he said.
“From the moment he exploded on to the Test scene against England in Napier eighteen summers ago, he’s given his heart and soul to playing for New Zealand and has helped the team achieve some unthinkable results.
“There’s already unprecedented interest in this England Test tour and I’m sure the chance to farewell one of our all-time greats will only further drive the anticipation and hype for this series.
“Tim has an incredible bank of experience and knowledge of the game and while he may have called time on his playing career, I’d be surprised if we don’t see him in another capacity at some stage in the future.”
BLACKCAPS coach Gary Stead said Southee’s record speaks for itself, but it was his impact on winning games for New Zealand that shouldn’t be underestimated.
“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.”
A quintessential right-arm out-swing bowler, Southee has been a mainstay leading the New Zealand attack across all three formats since debuting in 2008, appearing in four ICC Cricket World Cups, seven T20 World Cups, two Champions Trophy tournaments, and a WTC Final.
He spearheaded the BLACKCAPS memorable charge to the 2015 Cricket World Cup Final on home soil and played a pivotal role in the side’s triumph in the inaugural ICC WTC (2019-21), claiming 56 wickets at an average of 20 over the two year campaign, including five wickets in the Final at Southampton.
Southee’s new-ball combination with Trent Boult will be fondly remembered by fans, with the Northern District’s pair, who played youth cricket together, combining for 833 international wickets across their 177 games together for the BLACKCAPS.
Son of parents Murray and Jo, and the youngest of four siblings, Southee’s cricketing story is a Kiwi classic, from the family farm to Whangarei High School and Kings College, going on to establish himself as a world class performer across the formats and a Test, ODI and T20I New Zealand captain.
It was Southee’s appearance at two ICC Under 19 Cricket World Cups which announced him onto the world stage – claiming 17 wickets at an average of 6 in the 2008 edition to be named Player of the Tournament.
A proud servant of Northern Districts, Southee has played 105 games for the province since debuting as an 18-year-old in First-Class cricket in 2007.
Southee indicated he would still remain available for domestic and franchise cricket moving forward.
Southee Statistics
- 770 wickets in all internationals – the most by any New Zealander, next best is Daniel Vettori (696).
- Incredibly he has 385 international Test wickets in red/pink ball games and 385 international white-ball wickets.
- Only player in the world to claim more than 300 Test wickets, 200 ODI wickets and 100 T20I wickets.
- One of only four players in the world to play 100+ internationals in all three formats.
- One of only six New Zealanders to play 100 Test matches.
- 46 times on the winning side for NZ in Tests - the most by any player.
- Most wickets for NZ in Test victories, 207 wickets at 22 average, including at least one wicket in every Test that NZ won.
- 164 T20I wickets, the most in world cricket
- 83 catches in Tests and 192 in all internationals - fifth on both lists for New Zealand fielders.
- 391 international appearances for NZ is 5th on the list.
- The best figures for NZ in ODIs, 7-33 v England at Wellington, 2015.
- The best figures for NZ in T20Is, 5-18 v Pakistan at Auckland, 2010.
- Only New Zealander to take two T20I hat-tricks.
- 96 sixes in Test cricket - the sixth most of any player in the world.
- Claimed 5 for 55 and scored 77 off 40 balls on Test debut v England at Napier 2007-08. His nine sixes in the second innings is a record for any player on Test debut.
