Tim Southee will bid farewell to Test cricket at home ground Hamilton's Seddon Park. New Zealand's highest wicket taker in international cricket has announced his early retirement. However, he will answer the selectors' call when the Kiwis reach the final of the World Test Championship next June.
“Playing for New Zealand has always been my dream,” Southee said. Playing with the Black Caps for 18 years was a huge honor and achievement. But time says now is the right time to step away from the game that has given me so much.'
He added, 'Test cricket holds a special place in my heart, so such a big series against the same team against whom my Test career began and for me to end it by playing the Black Caps at three special grounds is the best way to end it.'
Southee first burst onto the scene in the 2008 U-19 World Cup with 17 wickets at an average of just six. He led New Zealand's bowling attack in all three formats during a prolific 18-year career. Played in four World Cups, seven T20 World Cups, two Champions Trophies. Besides, he also took the fifer in the final of the World Test Championship in Southampton.
Southee is New Zealand's second highest wicket taker in red ball cricket. He has 385 wickets in 104 matches so far. The 35-year-old pacer is the only player to own 300 wickets in Tests, 200 in ODIs and 100 in T20Is.
Recently, Southee played an important role in New Zealand's historic Test series win 3-0 on Indian soil. He took only three wickets in the first two Tests but got them at crucial times.
Before that series, Southee took the Test captaincy on the shoulder of Tom Latham. However, this pacer has not yet decided whether he will continue his white ball career or not.
The three-match series will begin on November 28. The last match is on 14 December.
