Tim Southee stepped down as Test captain before the start of the Test series against India. New Zealand, led by new captain Tom Latham, later thrashed India 3-0 in the Test series. About two weeks after the end of the India series, Southi announced his retirement.
New Zealand-England first test starts in Christchurch on November 28. Southey said that he will play the last Test of his career in Hamilton, the venue of the last Test of the three-match Test series. While announcing his retirement from the royal version of cricket, Southee said, 'I grew up with the dream of playing for New Zealand. It is a great honor for me to play 18 years for the Blackcaps. Tests have a special place in my heart. Test has taught me a lot. I think this is the right time to retire.'
In 2008, Southey started his Test career with a match against England in Napier. He has taken 385 wickets in 104 matches in a long career of 16 years in the royal version of cricket. Southee, who made his Test debut against England at home, was thrilled to announce his retirement, saying, 'Playing such a big series against them (England), who started this long journey against them, and those three stadiums are special to me. The game is a great way to end a career.'
The India-New Zealand three-match Test series ended on November 3 at the Wankhede in Mumbai. Southee took 3 wickets in 2 matches in that series. New Zealand's success rate is 54.55 in the 2023-25 Test Championship cycle after their thrashing of India. As important as the series against England is for the Kiwis, currently in fourth place, to play in the final of the Test Championship, the Kiwis will also have to look at other matches. While announcing his retirement, Southee said, 'It will be great to play in the final of the Test Championship. I know that a lot of hard work has to be done now. But after a great few weeks in India I see opportunities.'
New Zealand announced the squad for the Test series against England on the day Southee announced his retirement. Kane Williamson is returning to Test with this series. Well-known cricketers like Tom Latham, Tom Blundell, Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Southee, Glenn Phillips, Will Young are staying in the England series. Nathan Smith is also in the squad for the series as he awaits his Test debut. The New Zealand-England series will have three Tests at three venues. The second Test will begin on December 6 in Wellington. The third Test of the New Zealand-England series will begin on December 14 in Hamilton.
New Zealand team in Test series against England
Tom Latham (captain), Tom Blundell, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Will O'Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Nathan Smith, Mitchell Santner (2nd and 3rd Tests), Tim Southee, Kane Williamson, Will Young
