McCullum Commends Southee's Remarkable Career as Pacer Retires from Test Cricket
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Hamilton, Dec 17 (NationPress) Former New Zealand cricketer and current head coach of England, Brendon McCullum, expressed admiration for Tim Southee's impressive career longevity as the bowler officially retired from Test cricket after a remarkable 16-year journey on Tuesday.
Southee had previously declared his intention to step away from the red-ball format following the Test series against England, and he exited his career in a memorable fashion, helping New Zealand bowl out England for a mere 234 runs to secure a stunning 423-run victory.
This occasion marked a full-circle moment for Southee, concluding his Test career at his home ground, Seddon Park, against the same team he faced in his debut match.
“Tim’s one of my closest friends. He came into the game at a young age with a unique charm. He is the type of player you want to be around. You can never write him off in any situation; he’s incredibly resilient,” McCullum stated in a video shared by NZC on their social media platforms.
“His upbringing on a farm has instilled a strong work ethic in him. His success is well-deserved. Statistically, his performances rival the best, but the true measure of great players is their ability to sustain excellence over time, and he’s certainly achieved that,” he added.
Southee claimed two wickets during England's second innings, wrapping up his Test career with a total of 391 wickets across 107 matches, making him the second-highest wicket-taker for New Zealand, just behind Richard Hadlee, who took 431 wickets in 86 Tests.
“We often talk about leaving the game in a better state than we found it. I know that when Tim walks away from Seddon Park, he will feel fulfilled, and the nation will be grateful for his extensive contributions over the years,” McCullum continued.
During his last match, Southee received a guard of honour from the England players in both innings.
In his debut Test against England at Napier 2007-08, Southee achieved remarkable figures of 5-55 and scored 77 runs from just 40 balls. His record of hitting nine sixes in the second innings remains unmatched for any player making their Test debut.
However, the 36-year-old concluded his Test career with a total of 98 sixes, just two shy of reaching the century mark. He matched the six-hitting record of former West Indies star Chris Gayle during the first innings of his farewell Test.
Now, both Southee and Gayle share an equal number of sixes—98—in Test cricket, trailing only behind Adam Gilchrist (100), Brendon McCullum (107), and Ben Stokes (133).
“What we've witnessed is a young man growing into a respected husband, father, friend, and leader. He has matured under the international spotlight, which is no small feat, and he has managed to remain authentic to who he is. This is why he is held in such high regard,” McCullum concluded.
