Southee set to retire from Test cricket after England series

Tim Southee, a stalwart of New Zealand cricket, has announced his decision to retire from Test cricket following the upcoming series against England.

The 35-year-old pace bowler, who has been a mainstay of the Blackcaps since his debut in 2008, will bow out on his home ground in Hamilton.

Southee, who has played 104 Tests and claimed 385 wickets, stands second only to Sir Richard Hadlee (431) among New Zealand's leading wicket-takers. Reflecting on his career, Southee expressed his gratitude and affection for the longest format of the game.

"Representing New Zealand was all I ever dreamed of growing up," Southee said. "Test cricket holds a special place in my heart. To play this series against the same opponent I debuted against, and at venues so meaningful to me, feels like the perfect way to end my time in the Blackcaps."

Southee's Test journey began in Napier against England in 2008, and since then, he has been a linchpin of the side. Renowned for his consistency and all-round skills, he is the only cricketer to achieve the remarkable feat of over 300 Test wickets, 200 ODI wickets, and 100 T20 wickets.

Southee captained New Zealand between 2022 and 2023, overseeing six wins, six losses, and two draws before passing the reins to Tom Latham. Latham recently led New Zealand to a 3-0 sweep in India, cementing the team's strong Test credentials.

New Zealand Cricket chief executive Scott Weenink praised Southee as one of the country's finest players. "Tim has been a constant in the improving fortunes of the Blackcaps and will be remembered as a giant of the modern New Zealand game," Weenink said. "While he may be stepping away as a player, I wouldn't be surprised to see him contribute in another capacity in the future."

Blackcaps head coach Gary Stead also lauded Southee's resilience and competitiveness. "Tim's durability and ability to rise to big occasions is outstanding," Stead said. "He deeply cares about the team and its performances. He will be greatly missed in the dressing room."

Southee has yet to decide whether he will have a final white-ball swansong in New Zealand colours. Following the Test series against England, which begins on 28 November in Christchurch, New Zealand will face Sri Lanka in three ODIs and three T20s at home, starting on 28 December.

For now, Southee is focused on the England series, marking the end of an illustrious Test career that began with promise and evolved into one of New Zealand's finest contributions to cricket.