At his farewell, Tim Southee was showered with praise by legends Sir Richard Hadlee, Kane Williamson, and Tom Latham.
For decades, Sir Richard Hadlee has been recognized as New Zealand’s greatest cricketer. Yet when a legend like him calls someone a “true champion,” it holds special significance. That honor was bestowed upon Tim Southee as he bid farewell to Test cricket.
Southee had already announced that the England series would mark the end of his Test career. On Tuesday, his nearly 17-year journey in this format concluded with a victory in the Hamilton Test.
Southee burst onto the scene in March 2008, shortly after impressing in the Under-19 World Cup. His debut against England saw him claim a 5-wicket haul in the first innings and later smash 77 runs off just 40 balls, featuring 9 sixes, batting at number ten. Over the next decade and a half, this became his hallmark—taking wickets and hammering sixes from the lower order.
By the end of his career, Southee played 107 Tests, taking 391 wickets—second only to Hadlee’s 431 among New Zealanders. He also scored 2,245 runs with 98 sixes, making him one of only four players in Test history to hit that many sixes. From New Zealand reaching the top of the Test rankings for the first time to winning the inaugural ICC Test Championship, Southee played a pivotal role.
Starting this farewell series on 385 wickets, he fell just short of the elusive 400. Sir Richard Hadlee, while praising Southee, expressed that very sentiment:
“Tim is a true champion, a great cricketer, and an outstanding individual. His skill set was remarkable, characterized by that classical outswinger and the cross-seam off-cutter.
“It would have been fitting for him to reach the milestone of 400 wickets. In my opinion, he truly deserved it.”
At the end of the match, Hadlee presented Southee with a special memento on behalf of New Zealand Cricket.
Having shared most of his cricketing journey with Southee, Kane Williamson reflected on his teammate’s legacy. Under Williamson’s captaincy, Southee took 157 wickets—the most for any New Zealand skipper. Williamson highlighted his immense value:
“He has been an incredible servant of the game and such an important player for us over so many years. It’s not just about his on-field achievements, which everyone can see, but also his leadership and how he carried himself throughout his career. That’s a big reason why our team has remained strong for so long, and Tim has been at the heart of it.”
One quality consistently emphasized about Southee is his commitment as a ‘team man.’ Whether on or off the field, he gave his all for the team. Captain Tom Latham echoed this sentiment:
“The wickets, the runs, the sixes—all of that speaks for itself. But above all, it’s about the person he is. He’s an exceptional team man, and we will feel the absence of his qualities on the field. We’re losing one of the greats, but I’m sure he has a bright future ahead of him, whatever he chooses. Congratulations to him.”
An emotional Southee expressed gratitude and said he would now follow the team as a supporter:
“These boys made this journey so enjoyable for me. Now, I’m looking forward to watching them play as a fan. I wish them all the very best.”
