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Tim Southee Confirms Test Retirement; Set To Hang Up His Boots After England Series

Debashis Sarangi

Tim Southee to retire from Tests after ENG series [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/X]Tim Southee to retire from Tests after ENG series [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/X]

New Zealand's veteran fast bowler Tim Southee has confirmed that the upcoming home series against England will be his final appearance for the Blackcaps in Test cricket. Led by Tom Latham, New Zealand will take on England in a three-match Test series starting this 28th at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch. 

The second Test will be played at the iconic Basin Reserve in Wellington, with Southee's home ground, Seddon Park in Hamilton, hosting the decider. Thus, the fast bowling great aims to play his final Test on his home turf. 

Southee Set To Bid Farewell To Tests After England Series

As the hosts gear up for the high-voltage series against the Englishmen, their legendary speedster Tim Southee has revealed that the home assignment will be his swan song in the purest format. However, the right-arm seamer also confirmed that he would make himself available if the Blackcaps qualified for the World Test Championship final at Lord's. 

After the England series, Southee will also make a call regarding his white-ball future ahead of the six-match white-ball leg against Sri Lanka in the post-Christmas period. 

“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," Southee was quoted as saying by New Zealand Cricket. 

“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," he added. 

Tim Southee's Test Career And Stats

As a swing bowler who could hit a long ball, Tim Southee made his Test debut against England in Napier back in 2008. In his 16-year-long illustrious career for New Zealand, Southee has scalped 385 wickets in 104 Test appearances. 

He has also showcased his hard-hitting abilities in the format, scoring 2185 runs with the help of seven half-centuries. However, as he turns 36 next month, Southee considers it the perfect time to hang up his boots from the longest format.