New Delhi: Tim Southee‘s Test form in 2024 has been inconsistent, but he will retire as one of New Zealand’s greats after the England series. Only Sir Richard Hadlee has taken more Test wickets for the Black Caps. Southee has also hit numerous sixes in his career and boasts an impressive batting record.
Southee has hit 95 sixes in his Test career, though he has never reached a century. His best innings remains the 77* off 40 balls on debut against England in 2008, featuring nine sixes. Southee’s Test career will conclude as it began, with a final match against England at his home ground, Seddon Park in Hamilton, marking the end of 16 years at the top.
Bowling has always been Southee’s strength. With 389 Test wickets, he trails only Sir Richard Hadlee among New Zealanders. His 774 international wickets are surpassed by only nine others globally. Now, he feels it’s the right time to retire.
Tim Southee’s 2024 Test performance has been challenging, with 15 wickets in 10 matches at an average of 61.66. His pace has decreased, and England has capitalized, with his series figures showing 4 wickets for 246 runs across 49 overs, averaging 61.50.
While there has been some promise with the new ball, Southee has largely been ineffective, leading to speculation that he may not get a farewell in Hamilton. However, his contributions to New Zealand’s greatest triumphs remain significant. He played a key role in the 2021 World Test Championship win, taking four wickets and contributing with the bat. Southee was also instrumental in New Zealand’s historic 3-0 victory in India, marking the first time since 2012 that a team had defeated India on their home turf.
Recently, he dismissed India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, in the first Test as India were bowled out for just 46. Then, he blasted four sixes in his 65* off 73 balls, helping New Zealand post 402 all out.
In the second Test, he bowled a stunning delivery to dismiss Rohit again and took an athletic catch at long-on to remove Ravindra Jadeja. This clinched New Zealand’s series victory, arguably the greatest in the nation’s men’s cricket history, just days after their women’s team won the T20 World Cup.
