"It's been an amazing ride": Blackcaps great Tim Southee announces retirement from Test cricket

The upcoming England series will be the last in whites for Blackcaps bowler Tim Southee.

New Zealand's all-time leading wicket-taker has announced he'll retire from red-ball cricket at the end of the three-Test series, with the match at Seddon Park - his Northern Districts home ground - to be his swansong.

After the English series, Southee, who turns 36 years old next month, will make a decision on whether he'll continue for one final one-day international series against the visiting Sri Lankans in late December and early January.

He'll also make himself available should the Blackcaps qualify for the World Test Championship final next June, and will be on hand for domestic cricket and T20 franchise cricket.

The Whangarei product has competed at cricket's elite level for 16 years, making his debut in all three formats back in 2008.

He's since racked up 391 internationals, during which he's become the only player in cricket history to claim more than 300 Test wickets, 200 ODI wickets and 100 T20 wickets.

The right-arm swing bowler has been a fixture for the Blackcaps, appearing in four ICC Cricket World Cups, seven T20 World Cups, two Champions Trophy tournaments, and a WTC Final.

He was integral part of the Blackcaps WTC triumph, snaring 56 wickets at an average of 20 through the two-year campaign, including five wickets in the final against India in Southampton in 2021.

In the series against England, Southee will have a chance to become just the second New Zealand player after the legendary Sir Richard Hadlee to take 400 Test wickets.

Southee says he's at peace with his decision, with the timing right for him to step away from the game.

"Representing New Zealand was all I ever dreamed of growing up," he said.

"To play for the Blackcaps 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.

"I'll always be so grateful to my family, friends, coaches, our fans and everyone involved in the game who has supported me and my career over the years.

"It's been an amazing ride and I wouldn't change a thing."

A proud servant of Northern Districts, Southee has played 105 games for the province since debuting as an 18-year-old in 2007.

Blackcaps coach Gary Stead paid tribute to a player he deemed one of New Zealand's all-time greats.

"Tim's durability and resilience has been outstanding," Stead said.

"He's an incredibly tough competitor who gets himself up for big occasions and is rarely injured.

"Tim cares deeply about the team, its reputation and performances, and 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."

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