End When England Come at His Home Ground Tim Southee will end his Test career at his home ground of Seddon Park in Hamilton on the last day of the year as he meets England in December.
Southee, who has picked 770 wickets, confirmed that the three-match Test would be his last Test for New Zealand unless the side qualified for the ICC World Test Championship Final next June-for which he'd make himself available, New Zealand Cricket said.
"Representing New Zealand was all I ever dreamed of growing up. Playing for the BLACKCAPS 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," Southee said in a statement.
Test cricket holds a special place in the 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.".
"It's been an amazing ride and I wouldn't change a thing. I've really loved working with these exciting young bowlers and watching them perform at the highest level. Now it's their turn to take this team forward and they know I'll always be there to support, from near or far," he added.
Follow-up: Southee will consider whether he has one final New Zealand white-ball swansong awaiting him against Sri Lanka after Christmas following his series on England.
He has played international cricket for New Zealand for the past 18 years and has achieved 391 internationals, besides several national and international records. All-round skillsets and consistency have made him become the only player in the world who has claimed more than 300 Test wickets, 200 ODI wickets, and 100 T20I wickets.
He has 385 international Test wickets in red/pink ball games and 385 international white-ball wickets, which includes 164 T20I scalps, the most in world cricket. Furthermore, he is one of only four players in the world to play 100 plus internationals in all three formats.
Southee is a mainstay of the New Zealand attack in all formats since his debut in 2008, having participated in four ICC Cricket World Cups, seven T20 World Cups, two Champions Trophy events, and a WTC Final.
He led New Zealand's historic run into the 2015 Cricket World Cup Final on home turf and became an integral part of the side that won the first ever ICC WTC in 2019-21, taking 56 wickets at a strike rate of 20 throughout the two-season cycle, including five wickets in the Final at Southampton.
NZC chief executive Scott Weenink paid tribute to Southee as one of New Zealand's best cricketers. "Tim has been a constant in the improving fortunes of the BlackCaps and he'll be remembered as a giant of the modern New Zealand game. From the moment he exploded onto the Test scene against England in Napier eighteen summers ago, he's given his heart and soul to playing for New Zealand and has helped the team achieve some unthinkable results.".
"There's already unprecedented interest in this England Test tour and I'm sure the opportunity to bid farewell to one of our all-time greats will only further crank up the excitement and hype for this series. Indeed, while he may have finally called time on his playing career, I'd be surprised if we don't see him in another capacity at some stage in the future, said Warner.".
While Southee's record speaks for itself, the impact he made to New Zealand in winning games for his side wasn't to be underestimated, said Gary Stead.
"He's been phenomenal in his durability and resilience," said Stead. "He's one of the toughest competitors I've had out there. He gets himself up for big occasions and doesn't get injured much.
"Tim cares deeply for the team, its reputation, and performances. He will be missed within the BlackCaps environment. He now deserves some time with his family and I'm sure he will reflect very positively in years to come about his impact and achievements in the game," said he.
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