Credits: ICC/X
New Zealand pacer Tim Southee announced his retirement from the longest format of cricket on November 15. The legendary bowler has revealed that the forthcoming series against England in New Zealand will be his last game. Southee is Black Caps’ all-time leading wicket-taker and while the forthcoming series is going to be his last, he might play during the WTC Final at Lord’s in June next year, should the Kiwis qualify.
Southee first made it to the headlines during the U19 World Cup in 2008, where he finished the tournament with a total of 17 wickets, and was named the Player of the Tournament. In his glorious career spanning more than 18 years, Southee was a part of New Zealand’s squad in four ODI World Cups, seven T20 World Cups, two Champion Trophies, and a WTC Final. He is also New Zealand’s second-highest wicket-taker of all-time in red-ball cricket, and has 385 wickets to his name in 104 Test matches.
Representing New Zealand was all I ever dreamed of growing up: Tim Southee
While announcing his retirement from the red-ball format, Tim Southee said that representing his nation was his only dream. He was quoted as saying by the ICC website, “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.”
The 35-year-old added, '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.'
Notably, Southee is the only player in the world to claim more than 300 Test wickets, 200 ODI wickets and 100 T20I wickets.
