Dynamic Kiwi pacer and former captain, Tim Southee, has decided to bid adieu to his Test career after the conclusion of the Test tour against England in December. The 35-year-old announced his retirement saying that playing for New Zealand for eighteen years has been ‘the greatest privilege’.
“Representing New Zealand was all I ever dreamed of growing up,” said Southee breaking the news of his retirement.
Southee debuted for New Zealand in 2008, against England in Auckland. He said it was great to be signing off against the same opponent, he played his first Test with.
“To play for the Black Caps 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. 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.”
New Zealand have had 12 months of ups and downs and the right-arm bowler says that the prospect of playing as many Tests as he has this season had him very excited. All of this cricket including the T20 World Cup this year and the ODI World Cup last year getting capped by a big series made Southee feel like this is the right time to bow out.
“I guess you look at what’s in front of you and last year was that World Cup and we had the T20 World Cup earlier this year,” Southee said.
“We had this chunk of Test cricket, which I guess was all exciting along the last 12 months, and you near the end of that exciting part and you look forward and it’s a marquee series against a great opposition (England), one obviously which I started against all those years ago, and it feels right.”
Although he has not decided yet whether he wants to continue playing white-ball cricket, he is ready for any franchise or domestic opportunities that he might find. But he was elated to have served his country for so long. On his debut against England, little did the young Southee who just got out of his teenage know that he will go on to become one of the greatest fast bowlers his country has ever produced.
“I think just playing a game for New Zealand was a dream come true. So to do that at a young age was pretty special and I guess to sit here and [realise] it’s gone, it’s gone extremely quickly and sit here and over the next…however long you’ll reflect more. It’s just been a great ride and there’s still a little bit to go. But certainly, when I took that field in Napier didn’t think we’d be sitting here 17 years on, that’s for sure. But yeah, just been a real privilege and a real honour to fulfil a childhood dream. And represent our country.”
Southee is currently the second-highest Test wicket-taker for New Zealand, lesser only than Richard Hadlee. He still has three more Tests to add more to his tally. However, no number can ever define the way he along with a few other New Zealanders in this team changed the fortune of the Kiwis.
