Mike Hesson thinks New Zealand skipper Tim Southee will attack in a 'slightly different way'


image-lbsye0wwTim Southee (Source: Twitter)

Former coach Mike Hesson has predicted that newly-appointed Blackcaps Test skipper, Tim Southee will have a slightly different attacking style, as opposed to Kane Williamson. 

Earlier this week, Williamson stepped down from the red-ball captaincy due to the increase in workload across three formats. He will continue to lead the ODI and T20I sides and will focus on winning ODI World Cup 2023 and T20 World Cup 2024. 

Under Williamson, the Kiwi team tasted in 22 out of 40 Test matches. Moreover, they emerged as the champions of the inaugural World Test Championship 2019-2021 as well. 

Southee has previously led New Zealand in 22 T20Is and a solitary ODI and has a fair bit of experience ahead in terms of international captaincy. He is currently the highest wicket-taker in T20Is with 134 scalps. He ranks second among the most wickets for New Zealand with 685 dismissals across all formats, behind Daniel Vettori (696). 

In this regard, Hesson thinks it will be a great chance for Southee to introduce his style into the group and how they can keep evolving in the longest format. 

"Tim is certainly one who has always had a cricket brain and always had skill. He's been captain in T20s, so he has obviously shown what he's capable of and he's certainly got the support of his teammates.

“He's a point of difference in that he's going to attack the game in slightly different way."

Southee's first assignment as a Test captain will be the Pakistan Tour. The Kiwi team are slated to play two Test-match series in Pakistan starting December 26. 


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