The time has finally come as the 36-year-old legendary New Zealand pacer Tim Southee is playing his last Test as the Hamilton Test between New Zealand and England just started on Saturday (December 14).

Before his last Test, Southee picked up 389 wickets in 106 Tests. Southee was present on his last Test with his daughter. Meanwhile, on his last Test match, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) published a video where his national teammates were talking about the importance and influence of the 6ft 4in tall right-arm medium fast bowler. 

Kane Williamson

The former New Zealand captain Kane Williamson isn’t only his teammate in senior international cricket, but they had great experiences together in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2008 in Malaysia, where Williamson led the New Zealand youths and Southee was the second leading wicket-taker in that tournament (17 wickets). While they lost the semi-final, the Virat Kohli-led Indian team won that tournament.

Southee and Williamson have played together in 260 international matches, including 88 Tests. 

Williamson said, “He was my right-hand man really, and someone I could always rely on. Just such a solid sort of loyal teammate that would always walk towards the challenge

“He’s been just an absolute stalwart, you know, in our team. Such a resilient player, really, that’s paved the path for people to come. You can sit here talking about wickets and sixes, maybe, and highlights on the field. But, you know, for me, he’s an amazing sort of representation of what’s important to play for New Zealand, to be a Black Cap and that’ll be something that I’ll always treasure.” 

See Also: After Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir announces his second retirement from international cricket

Matt Henry

Southee has played 53 international matches with the fast bowler Matt Henry, including 23 Tests. 

Henry said, “To be able to play for New Zealand for over 100 Tests, it shows resilience and what playing for New Zealand means.”

“I think he’ll be massively missed. He’s obviously a huge part of our group and a huge backbone of this fast bowling group for 17 years. I think it is. We’ve been through some amazing games together and there’s so many fond memories to reflect on.”

Grant Elliott

Grant Elliott and Southee played 46 international matches, including two Tests. 

Grant Elliott said, “I mean, he was an exceptional cricketer. There’s no doubt about it. First New Zealander and only New Zealander takes 700 wickets in all three formats. He led by action, and I think that’s the only way he can lead.

“Champion person, champion player, just very lucky to have played with not only a great player, but an amazing person.” 

Shane Bond

Former New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond was senior to Southee. Although they never played together in Test cricket, they played 14 white-ball international matches. Also, Bond was later the bowling coach of the national team. 

Bond said, “You know, he turns up every day, always prepared, never complaints, just gets of with stuff. Loved to talk about cricket, wanted to get better.”

“Yeah, look he deserves all the recognition. I think it’s nice in this series that people can take the opportunity to recognise what he’s done for New Zealand cricket."

The feelings of his teammates are well enough to describe Southee's importance in the national team. 

“He’s an amazing representation of what’s important to play for New Zealand.”

As Tim Southee embarks on his 107th and final Test match, hear from his current and former teammates on the legacy that he will leave behind. #NZvENG #CricketNation pic.twitter.com/WtjXoegE3w

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 13, 2024

New Zealand are going through a good headache after winning the historic three-match away Test series against India by 3-0, as the former New Zealand captain Kane Williamson is set to return to Test cricket.

The 34-year-old Kane Williamson, who was the second most runs-scorer (138 runs) for New Zealand in their last Sri Lanka tour, where the Blackcaps suffered a 2-0 series defeat in the two-match Test series, missed out on the complete away Test series in India due to a groin injury.

Will Young won the Player of the Series award in the India tour

However, despite Williamson’s absence in the complete India tour, the Blackcaps completely dominated in the Test series, where Rachin Ravindra (256 runs), Will Young (244 runs), and Devon Conway (227 runs) were the top three runs-scorers for the away team. While Rachin Ravindra was New Zealand’s leading run-scorer in both the away Test series against Sri Lanka and India, Young won the Player of the Series award in the successful India tour. 

Meanwhile, Williamson just returned to the game in the recent domestic cricket and started confidently. Serving for Northern Districts against Auckland, Williamson batted for three hours during the team’s first innings and scored 60 runs.    

Obvious Kane will come back into the side: Gary Stead

While Young inspired the Blackcaps' batting unit against the hosts India in the absence of Williamson, the former New Zealand skipper’s return has opened up a good headache for the team management. While the Blackcaps head coach Gary Stead has admitted selection headaches, he also confirmed Williamson's return to the Test playing XI by shaping the rest of the team.

Stead said, "Obvious Kane will come back into the side. He's a superb player as we know and that creates some selection headaches for Tom and I to get our heads around in the next day or so.

"Kane is one of the best in the world, so he will be playing somewhere in that line-up. It's just how we manage to shape the rest of the team around that."

New Zealand are getting ready to host a three-match Test series against England, starting on November 28. It will be a part of the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship as the inaugural winners have a great chance to qualify for the second WTC final by winning the important upcoming home Test series against England.

Veteran New Zealand player Kane Williamson’s departure to India is going to be delayed and he is likely to miss the first Test in Bengaluru due to a groin strain he suffered recently. However, he faced discomfort during the second Test against Sri Lanka and now he will need to undergo rehabilitation before joining the team in India as well, New Zealand Cricket shared the news in a media release on Wednesday (October 9).

The ‘Fabulous 4’ or the ‘Fab 4’ term started from the fantabulous performances coming from the willows of Virat Kohli (India), Steve Smith (Australia), Kane Williamson (New Zealand) and Joe Root (England) when they donned their white uniforms. Former New Zealand captain Martin Crowe coined this terminology and used the nickname ‘Fab 4’. Crowe predicted in one of his August 2014 columns for ESPNcricinfo that all four members of the ‘Fab 4’ comprising the above mentioned four, who would become future cricketing leaders of their respective nations.

And to no one’s surprise, his predictions did come true, and all four players have displayed their top-class calibre, not just with the bat but also with the captaincy hat. The former Kiwi skipper, Kane Williamson, is stepping down from the New Zealand central contract after a disastrous stint in the recent 2024 T20 World Cup. This news marks the end of the Fab-4 or an era of pure cricketing display with the bat and captaincy. Though all the players still have some game within them, some aspects like the test captaincy would be dearly missed by the fanatics. Here’s a simple and noteworthy summation of the ‘Fab-4’, making it an ode to providing some memorable cricketing displays.

Virat Kohli

Though Martin Crowe predicted the staggering growth of Fab-4 in mid-2014, the unboxing happened lately in the 2015-16 period. Virat Kohli has been one of the batting legends in the red-ball format, who helped the Indian cricket team to be fearless and resilient in the toughest away conditions. His sheer calibre, aggression and intent have helped the team set high benchmarks in test cricket.

To briefly update his red ball stats, he has captained over 68 matches by winning over a phenomenal 40 games, losing 17 matches and just one match being a draw. With his MRF willow, Kohli has scored 8848 runs in 191 innings, at a commendable ongoing average of 49.16. And a majority of the runs have come from the tough and challenging away matches, symbolising his gameplay. He has 30 fifties, 29 centuries and seven massive double-century innings in his red-ball stint. And with big upcoming matches, there is no stoppage for one of the best Indian test captains.

Steve Smith

Steve Smith’s cricketing journey is a testament to resilience and adaptability. He began as a leg-break bowler, a role he performed with skill, but fate had other plans for the Aussie player. Known for his unique stance, Smith has been the reliable backbone of the Australian Cricket team. His calm and intelligent demeanour on-field and unique playing style have been his unique selling point. His tenure as a red-ball captain was commendable, with 21 wins, 10 losses, and seven draws out of 38 matches.

During his peak in the 2015-17 period, he was known for having the best and most consistent batting average, which almost reached 70. However, the unfortunate 2018 ball-tampering scandal, which led to his suspension from international cricket, has hindered his captaincy stint. He is now focused on contributing with the bat to the fullest. His ongoing test stint has seen him amass 9685 runs in 195 innings, averaging 56.97. He has 41 half-centuries, 32 centuries, and four double-centuries.

Also Read: Player Analysis: The Enduring Legacy of James Anderson’s 21-Year Test Career

Kane Williamson

Though the Fab-4’s inception came from the batting performance point of view, the captaincy aspect acted as the cherry on top. One man who symbolised the enigma of being cool, calm and composed is the Kiwi batter, Kane Williamson. The former New Zealand skipper has been a part of many final stages of the ICC tournaments, with the 2019 CWC final and the 2021 T20 WC final, naming a few. But, the memorable moment of his illustrious and ongoing cricketing journey would be the big triumph against India in the first-ever World Test Championship title match, held in 2021. His 44 test match captaincy stint garnered him 22 wins, 10 losses and 12 draw results.

Williamson is one of the players from the Fab-4 list who has successfully maintained consistency across all the formats. But, with his recent disastrous performance in the 2024 T20 World Cup, he has stepped down from the New Zealand Cricket Central Contract, almost ending his illustrious captaincy stint. In terms of numbers in the test format, Williamson has played the lowest number of matches out of the rest, where in just 176 innings, Williamson made a colossal 8743 runs, with an average of 54.99. In addition, the former Blackcaps’ skipper has 34 half-centuries, 32 centuries and six double-centuries.

Joe Root

Joe Root has been a batter touted as having the potential to overtake the test records of the Master Blaster, Sachin Tendulkar. His classy stance and shot selection have been the pivotal aspects of his batting for the English side. Root has been a go-to man across the ODI & Test Formats. His decent attacking yet impactful batting has been the prime context to check out amongst the cricket fanatics. Having a kickstart to his peak from 2014, Root has been at its best in maintaining the same consistency.

Though the new BazBall format in England’s side only synchronises a little with Joe Root’s approach, he has unleashed his attacking side in crucial times and harnessed victories for the team. Coming to the stat numbers in the red-ball game, he has made a colossal 11940 runs in 260 innings, with an average of 49.96. By playing the most matches in this list, he has also made 62 half-centuries, 32 centuries and five double-centuries. Also, his decent test-match captaincy stint of 64 matches got him 27 wins, 26 losses and 11 draw results.

Veteran New Zealand player Tom Latham, who has led New Zealand in 44 ODIs, is one of the frontrunners to take up the captaincy duty full-time after Kane Williamson decided to step down. Latham, who has filled in during Williamson’s absence earlier also including at the 2023 Cricket World Cup, is open to taking charge.

“It would obviously be a real honour,” Latham said on Wednesday (July 17). “For me it’s always been about trying to put the team first as best as possible and I’m sure they’ll have those discussions around what they want from a team point of view and certainly if I get the opportunity to do that it would be really special.”

However, it will be interesting to see if New Zealand seek a single captain for both white-ball teams as Latham hasn’t featured in a T20I XI for over a year. Test captain, Tim Southee, could then be an option for the role of all three sides as well.

Coach Gary Stead also revealed that although the management hadn’t reached the final stage of selection yet, Tom Latham was definitely on their shortlist for being named captain as well.

“We’re not at the stage of confirming it yet, so I don’t want to speculate whether Tom will be [named captain] or not. But he’s certainly one guy that will be in discussions around that role,” Stead said. “The important thing is whoever is in place, we want in place for two to three years or so, leading to that next [ODI] World Cup. That will be one of the important decision-making factors that we discuss.”

SEE ALSO: Rohit Sharma comments on his retirement plans after quitting T20Is

“We’ve got a lot of cricket in the summer [and] got an ICC pinnacle event” – Tom Latham

However, soon after a poor T20 World Cup campaign last month, Kane Williamson, Lockie Ferguson and Adam Milne have declined their central contracts with the former captain taking up a casual contract as well. However, Williamson is likely to play the bulk of New Zealand’s international fixtures in all three formats now as well.

“I think at the moment where cricket’s going in New Zealand is slightly different. It’s certainly not a black and white situation, and certainly changing with all these leagues popping up. Guess everyone is in a slightly different boat in what their future may look like depending on their age or stage they are in life,” Latham said.

“Don’t know what the right system is, there is a lot of flexibility within our contracts at the moment, but I think with the changing landscape of cricket I’m sure it will be something that New Zealand Cricket and the players’ association look at and try and come up with something,” he again said.

“We’ve seen over many years now, at times we haven’t had those senior guys. That gives me an opportunity as a senior player to step up and lead as well. But also other guys who haven’t necessarily had opportunities in the past to step up in different leadership roles. It’s never great when you miss guys of Kane’s calibre, but it gives opportunities to other guys to put their best foot forward,” he further stated.

However, New Zealand have a big summer after they tour India in October later this year, with the likes of England, Sri Lanka and Pakistan all travelling either side of the Champions Trophy as well.

“We’ve got a lot of cricket in the summer [and] got an ICC pinnacle event [the Champions Trophy] which is exciting to look forward to. So whether it be with different personnel, whether it be with the guys we are used to having, whenever we can have them I’m sure that will be great, but think we’ve certainly got to be pretty fluid with what things look like in the future,” Tom Latham concluded.

Gujarat Titans witnessed a significant shift in team dynamics post the 2023 IPL, primarily due to the departure of former captain Hardik Pandya. The team now looks toward a new leadership era under Shubman Gill.

Impact of Hardik Pandya’s Departure

Pandya’s departure marked the end of an era characterized by his emphasis on team unity over individual brilliance. His leadership guided the Titans to consecutive final appearances, leaving behind a legacy of cohesive teamwork.

New Leadership: Shubman Gill:

With the captaincy mantle passed to Shubman Gill, Gujarat Titans aim to maintain their competitive edge in IPL 2024. Gill’s exceptional batting prowess, coupled with his leadership qualities, positions him as a promising captain for the team.

Challenges Due to Mohammed Shami’s Absence

The absence of Mohammed Shami, last year’s Purple Cap winner, poses a challenge to the Titans’ bowling attack. However, Umesh Yadav’s inclusion and the potential of R. Sai Kishore offer opportunities for the team to adapt and excel.

The Titans’ fortunes rely heavily on the performances of recent recruits Shahrukh Khan and Spencer Johnson, along with seasoned campaigners like Wriddhiman Saha and David Miller. Additionally, with players like Rashid Khan and Rahul Tewatia, the squad’s depth ensures versatility and adaptability.

Best Playing XI for Gujarat Titans

The ideal playing XI for Gujarat Titans in IPL 2024 comprises a blend of experience and youth, with each player bringing unique strengths to the team. From batting stalwarts like Shubman Gill to bowling maestros like Rashid Khan, the XI promises a formidable challenge to opponents.

Gujarat Titans Probable Playing XI: Shubman Gill (C), Wriddhiman Saha (WK), Kane Williamson, Sai Sudharsan, David Miller, Rashid Khan, Mohit Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Rahul Tewatia, Spencer Johnson, Shahrukh Khan

Impact Player: Noor Ahmad

GT players bought at IPL 2024 auction: Azmatullah Omarzai (Rs. 50 lakh), Umesh Yadav (Rs. 5.80 crore), Shahrukh Khan (Rs. 7.40 crore), Sushant Mishra (Rs. 2.20 crore), Kartik Tyagi (Rs. 60 lakh), Manav Suthar (Rs. 20 lakh), Spencer Johnson (Rs. 10 crore), Robin Minz (3.60 crore).

GT IPL 2024 SQUAD COMPOSITION

Wicketkeepers: Mathew Wade (AUS), Wriddiman Saha, Robin Minz.

Batters: Shubman Gill, David Miller (SA), Abhinav Manohar, Kane Williamson (NZ), Sai Sudharsan.

All-rounders: Rashid Khan (AFG), Rahul Tewatia, Jayant Yadav, Vijay Shankar, Azmatullah Omarzai (AFG), Darshan Nalkande, Shahrukh Khan.

Bowlers: Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Josh Little (IRE), R. Sai Kishore, Mohit Sharma, Noor Ahmad (AFG), Sushant Mishra, Kartik Tyagi, Manav Suthar, Spencer Johnson (AUS).

Gujarat Titans is a franchise that introduced the IPL world with a bang. Announcing the world with a glorious title win in the 2022 edition against the Rajasthan Royals. With an optimum balance of all cricketing aspects, the Gujarat Titans are also prominent for their robust coaching staff. By this, they entered their second straight IPL final, where they were adjourned runners-up against the five-time champion Chennai Super Kings.

With the news of Hardik Pandya changing his squad to the Mumbai Indians, the captain’s responsibility has been given to Shubman Gill, who has created a dynamic impact with the bat in his IPL stint. With some significant blows due to injury, emerging players, and a first-time IPL captain, here are the top four players from the Gujarat Titans squad.

Shubman Gill

It is no surprise to find the name of Shubman Gill on the list. Post Hardik Pandya’s impeccable run as a captain, the young-blooded batter puts on the shoes of a role that defines a team.

With his recent performances for the Indian team, Gill will have no signs of stopping to display consistent performance for his IPL squad as a captain. With a colossal 2790 runs in 91 matches, he has three triple-digit figure feathers added to his hat; he is one of the players to check out for from the team and the whole tournament.

Kane Williamson

Though watching the Kiwi batter on the list might be surprising, Kane Williamson can be an impactful player for the squad. Williamson has had a rough-terrain IPL stint ever since the 2019 edition. After his underwhelming performance from 2019-22, he was released by his first IPL team, Sunrisers Hyderabad, where he led them to their second IPL final in the 2018 edition & he was also the Orange Cap Winner (Most Runs in an edition) for the season.

He was bought by Gujarat Titans and suffered a significant setback due to an injury in the previous edition, which got him ruled out for the rest of the tournament. But, his captaincy and leadership skills can be a pivotal asset for the team & their new captain, Shubman Gill. It is evident to watch Williamson making a solid comeback after a major injury and can get a chance to display his skills in the shortest format of the game.

See Also: IPL 2024: Top 4 Chennai Super Kings players to be in focus

Shahrukh Khan

Known for taking the game deep and finishing it off with his batting power, Shahrukh Khan was a vital element with the Punjab Kings as a middle-order batter. But, with just 426 runs in 33 matches and a commendable 135 Strike Rate, it indicates some more mettle within the Tamil Nadu batter.

With the release of their former captain, Hardik Pandya, the team can rely on Shahrukh Khan’s finishing abilities. The big hitter of Gujarat Titans will have a lot to contribute as an all-rounder.

Robin Minz

Robin Minz, 21, became the first tribal cricketer to join the tournament’s ecosystem. The fierce bidding war ended in a hefty payoff for Minz, who obtained a contract worth INR 3.6 crore—18 times his base price of INR 20 lakh. Despite not making his professional cricket debut, Minz stands out as a left-handed wicketkeeper-batsman recognised for his explosive hitting.

Earlier this year, he hit an undefeated 73 from 35 deliveries in an invitational T20 competition in Odisha. Minz has represented the Jharkhand U19 and U25 teams. With Wriddhiman Saha as the team’s primary wicketkeeper, the management can extract value for the team’s future wicketkeeper requirements from the youngster if his promising game is adequately groomed and nurtured.

On his Test Debut, Kane Williamson was left in awe with his surroundings. On the other side, he had Virender Sehwag going berserk in front of him. Sehwag went on to make a defining 173 on the first day, while Rahul Dravid silently did his own magic on the way to a century of his own. He had Sachin Tendulkar and later had to face Zaheer Khan as well on the other side.

On his own side, though, Kane Williamson had some monsters as well. With Brendon McCullum, Daniel Vettori, and Ross Taylor, the New Zealand eleven had some of the finest in their history as well, along with Jessy Ryder. Despite being in awe of the proceedings, Kane Williamson found a way to stand out in his own silent manner.

Making a Test debut in the subcontinent and on a wearing Motera track, Williamson produced a classic to speak volumes about his ability with a 131 that remains one of his most cherished centuries. While New Zealand often tends to struggle against the stronger sides, Kane Williamson ensured that he does not buckle under pressure.

He continued to prove that he is one to watch with a 140 at the Gabba, facing thunderbolts from Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood. His knock there was proof of his ability to play bounce just as he could do so against spin.

See Also: Jonny Bairstow, The One Who Got Bazball Going – Cricket Winner

While Kane Williamson remains pretty silent and in the shadows, he has made some significant changes well throughout his career. From his grip to his bat swing, minute changes to his technique have always been around. Most cricketers who go on to play long careers tend to make such changes, and that is what keeps them on the side for so long.

At home, though, Kane Williamson has been a different beast. His contributions at home do not need to be looked upon beyond the last year. When Kane Williamson was struggling for form, he came up with an incredible double-hundred to set up a famous one-run win against England. He helped New Zealand win after following on and set up one of the greatest Tests ever.

His career has had its highs and lows, and the WTC Final in 2021 will go down as one of the most defining moments. His journey though continues as Kane Williamson makes it to the big 100 with experiences that will remain.