Kiwi spin-bowling all-rounder Mitchell Santner has been appointed as New Zealand's white-ball captain across ODI and T20I formats. He will take over the reins from Kane Williamson following New Zealand's disappointing exit from the 2024 T20 World Cup earlier this year. Santner has previously served as an interim captain for the Black Caps captaining them in 24 T20Is and four ODIs.

However, his first assignment as New Zealand's full-time white-ball skipper will commence against Sri Lanka in late December. The upcoming Champions Trophy in February 2025 followed by the 2026 T20 World Cup will be the two major assignments in his captaincy tenure for New Zealand. 

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Santner expresses delight after assuming captaincy

During a close conversation with the all-rounder, Santner revealed that it had always been his dream to play for New Zealand and represent them on the biggest of stages. He further adds that it is a new challenge and looks forward to the opportunities that lie ahead of him.

"It's obviously a huge honor and a privilege to be asked. When you're a young kid the dream was always to play for New Zealand but to have the opportunity to officially lead my country in two formats is special. It's a new challenge and I'm excited to get stuck into the important period of white-ball cricket that we have ahead of us."

Gary Stead showers his praise on the all-rounder

New Zealand head coach Gary Stead remains confident of Santner's abilities to deliver the goods. He further revealed that Santner was the first-choice selection across both white-ball formats and speaks highly of his calm and collected personality. 

"Mitch is a fantastic team man and leads by example in all facets of the game. He's an incredibly calm and collected personality and he has a huge amount of respect in the changing room, which will serve him well. He's had plenty of experience leading the T20 side and did a good job when he captained the ODI team last month, so he already has a good understanding of what it means to lead the team. I'm sure Mitch will also bring his own ideas and style of leadership to the role."

Despite his strong credentials in limited-overs format, Santner has been exempted from captaincy in the longest format. In Stead's opinion, Tom Latham has been doing a fine job as a full-time Test captain for New Zealand, and under his leadership, New Zealand went on to do the unthinkable by beating India at home by an unbelievable margin of 3-0. 

The 36-year-old New Zealand pacer Tim Southee has retired from Test cricket on a high note. He will forever stay as a legend in the Blackcaps cricket history.

Tim Southee played his last Test at Hamilton, where New Zealand beat England by 423 runs, which was their joint-largest Test victory margin by runs. Southee had some great times in the Hamilton Test by scoring 23 runs in the first innings and picking up two wickets in the fourth innings. 

Tim Southee has remarkable stats in Test career

In his Test career, Southee has recorded 391 wickets in 107 matches. While he finished his Test career with the fourth most Test appearances by a New Zealand cricketer, he finished as the second most Test wicket-taker for the Blackcaps. Only Sir Richard Hadlee recorded more Test wickets than Southee in New Zealand Test cricket history with 431 wickets. In his Test career, Southee recorded 15 fifers and one ten-wicket haul. 

Moreover, the right-handed batter Southee scored 2245 Test runs with an average of 15.48 but had a handsome strike rate of 82.68. He recorded seven Test half-centuries, including his highest score 77 not out. Southee hit 98 Test sixes, which is the joint fourth most Test sixes by a batter. 

In his Test career, Southee took 86 catches. He is the only eighth player in Test cricket history to manage the all-round record of at least scoring 2000 runs, picking up 300 wickets, and taking 50 catches. 

Watch: KL Rahul's century denied by Steven Smith's stunning catch

I'm just very grateful for what I've been able to do: Tim Southee

On his farewell ceremony, Southee said, "100 sixes, 400 Test wickets, 100 catches, whatever, that would have all been nice, but I'm just very grateful for what I've been able to do. The time I've had in the hat has been pretty special. As a kid, I just wanted to grow up and represent New Zealand, so to sit here and have nearly 800 wickets, it's pretty satisfying."

Southee has picked up 776 international wickets, which is the most by a New Zealand bowler, the seventh most by a pacer, and the 10th most in overall Test cricket history.

Sir Richard Hadlee was present at Southee’s farewell ceremony. He said that the pacer deserves to achieve 400 Test wickets. 

The legendary all-rounder said, "It would have been only fitting that Tim could have ended his career if he had reached the 400 Test wicket mark. In my opinion, he deserved that."

Southee has also hinted at fulfilling his dream of rugby sports, popular in New Zealand. The Blackcaps pacer said on that, "That’s always been a dream, but I’ll have to see how the body pulls up over the next wee while.”

Southee made his international debut in February 2008 during the Auckland T20I against England. In the next month, he made his Test debut against the same opponent at Napier. In June 2008, he made his ODI debut once again against England at Chester-le-Street. 

New Zealand legendary pacer Tim Southee retired from Test cricket with New Zealand’s joint record-margin win in Test cricket. Hosts New Zealand set a massive target of 658 runs for England in the Hamilton Test. It was the 11th-highest fourth innings target set in Test cricket history (the third largest in the 21st century). Visitors England were all out for 234 runs in the fourth innings as the hosts won by a massive 423 runs. 

Three batters managed to reach the 20-run mark

England started the fourth day of the Hamilton Test at 18/2, as the visitors lost both their openers last evening. Jacob Bethell and the former English skipper Joe Root had a partnership of 104 runs for the third wicket. Once that partnership was broken with Joe Root’s dismissal for 54 off 64 balls (10 fours), the visitors lost their wickets at regular intervals. 

The no.1 Test-ranked batter Harry Brook was dismissed for one run, and Bethell lost his wicket soon after scoring 76 off 96 balls with the help of 13 fours and one six. 

In the next batting orders, only the no.7 batter Gus Atkinson reached the 20-run mark as he scored 43 off 41 balls with the help of seven fours and one six. Ollie Pope and Brydon Carse managed to score 17 and 11 runs, respectively. Captain Ben Stokes didn’t come to bat due to a hamstring injury. 

The left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner picked up four wickets as he had bowling figures of 14.2-1-85-4.

Matt Henry got two wickets for 62 runs, while Southee picked up two wickets for 34 runs in his last Test innings. On the last day of his Test career, the right-arm pacer dismissed the highest run-scorer in the innings, Jacob Bethell. Also, Will O’Rourke claimed a wicket (1/37).

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Tim Southee took 391 Test wickets

Tim Southee retires from Test cricket after picking up 391 wickets in 107 Tests. He ended his Test career with 98 sixes, the joint fourth most sixes in Test cricket history. 

Earlier, in the Test match, New Zealand scored 347 runs in the first innings after Mitchell Santner scored 76 and captain Tom Latham scored 63 runs. In reply, England were bundled out for only 143 runs. 

In their second innings of the match, the Blackcaps scored 453 runs and set up the fourth innings target of 658 runs, after Kane Williamson scored 156, opener Will Young and middle-order batter Daryl Mitchell both scored 60 runs. 

Mitchell Santner won the Player of the Match award

Mitchell Santner won the Player of the Match award for his all-round performances. After scoring 76 runs, the left-arm spinner picked up three wickets for just seven runs. Later, the left-handed batter scored 49 more runs in the second innings and claimed a four-wicket haul for 85 runs. 

New Zealand won the Test match by 423 runs. It was their joint largest Test win by runs, as they previously won by 423 runs against Sri Lanka in the 2018 Christchurch Test. It was the joint 10th-largest Test victory (by runs). 

England won the first two Tests of the three-match Test series by eight wickets at Christchurch and 323 runs at Wellington. With this Hamilton Test win, the series ended with 2-1 in the favour of the visitors. 

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.” 

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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

Veteran New Zealand player Tim Southee will retire from Test cricket at his home ground, Seddon Park in Hamilton, against England. New Zealand's leading wicket-taker in international cricket, Southee will play for the country should they qualify for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final next June as well.

"Representing New Zealand was all I ever dreamed of growing up," Southee said. "To play 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. 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."

However, Tim Southee made headlines with his 17-wicket campaign at the U19 World Cup in 2008, at an average of just six, to be named the Player of the Tournament. In his 18-year career since, Southee led New Zealand's bowling attack across formats, appearing in four ODI World Cups, seven T20 World Cups, two Champions Trophy tournaments, and a WTC Final where he picked up a fifer at Southampton as well.

New Zealand's second-highest wicket-taker of all time in Tests, Southee has picked up 385 Test wickets in 104 matches so far, and is the only player in the world to claim more than 300 Test scalps, 200 in ODIs and 100 in T20Is as well. Moreover, Southee played an important all-round role in New Zealand's historic 3-0 whitewash of India in India - a feat that happened for the first time by a visiting team since the 2012-13 season.

"Tim has been a constant in the improving fortunes of the BlackCaps" - Scott Weenink

Meanwhile, NZC chief executive Scott Weenink referred to Southee as one of New Zealand's greatest, crediting him for the team's Test success over the past few years.

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"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," he said. "From the moment he exploded on to 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 chance to farewell one of our all-time greats will only further drive the anticipation and hype for this series. Tim has an incredible bank of experience and knowledge of the game and while he may have 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."

"Tim's durability and resilience has been outstanding" - Gary Stead

The team's head coach Gary Stead also applauded Tim Southee for his contributions to New Zealand as well.

"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."

New Zealand captain Tim Southee has confirmed that Wellington seamer Ben Sears will make his Test debut in the second Test against Australia, which is all set to start on Friday (March 8) in Christchurch. The 26-year-old speedster will come in to replace Will O’Rourke, who was ruled out after sustaining a hamstring injury in New Zealand’s 172-run defeat in the opening Test as well.

“He’s got something about him” – Tim Southee on Ben Sears

“Offers real pace. We saw him clock 150 (kmh) earlier in the summer in a T20 against Bangladesh, so excited to see what he’s got at test level,” Tim Southee said on the eve of the Test. “He’s a tall fella. He’s got pace, he’s got something about him. Obviously the job Will O’Rourke did in the couple of test matches he played… again another tall guy with a bit of pace and skill about him, so excited to see what Ben has got.”

However, Southee didn’t confirm whether this will be the only change for them as well. Notably, New Zealand decided to play an extra seamer in Scott Kuggeleijn on a green-looking track in Wellington and dropped left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner. The decision backfired as the pitch helped Nathan Lyon, who became the first spinner since Muttiah Muralitharan in 2006 to claim a 10-wicket match haul in New Zealand.

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While conditions at the Hagley Oval have helped the pace bowlers, Kuggeleijn wasn’t helpful enough at Wellington and took 2 for 87 in the first innings. Meanwhile, New Zealand captain, Tim Southee who will become the first pace bowler to feature in 100 games in each of the three international formats this week, has claimed just four wickets from his three Tests this year which came at an average of 80.25.

“You always want to be performing at your best and I think there’s no hiding from the fact that the currency we deal in as a bowler is wickets, and the last three Test matches I haven’t got the wickets I would have liked,” he said.

“I still feel like there’s more to it” – Tim Southee

“I still feel like there’s more to it. There’s roles within that as well. I have probably not been where I should be as the most experienced bowler of the side. But like everyone, each week you’re trying to get better. Each week you’re trying to go out and put your best foot forward. Prepare as well as you can to give yourself the best chance and that’s the same over the last couple of days. I’ve done that.”

“I’ve felt okay at times. Sometimes you feel good and you don’t get the wickets. Sometimes you feel not so good and you actually pick up a few wickets. So I think it’s just about trusting your game. Trusting what you do. But there’s no hiding from the fact that the last couple of Test matches have been disappointing. I know that. I’d always like more wickets. And hopefully, there’s some to come,” he concluded.

New Zealand player Tim Southee practised alone in the middle of Hagley Oval on Wednesday whereas other New Zealand players trained in the nets out the back. However, both Tim Southee and his mate Kane Williamson are all set to play their 100th Tests together. But for Southee, it doesn’t feel as celebratory as it does for Williamson as well.

However, New Zealand are under pressure, as they are 1-0 down in the two-match Test series, and former New Zealand captain Ross Taylor has criticised Southee and the team as well. Although it has not been as sharp or as pointed towards someone in the media have suggested. But Tim Southee is well aware of his recent Test records.

“You always want to be performing at your best and I think there’s no hiding from the fact that the currency we deal in as a bowler is wickets, and the last three Test matches I haven’t got the wickets I would have liked,” Tim Southee said on Thursday.

“I’d always like more wickets” – Tim Southee

“I still feel like there’s more to it. There’s roles within that as well. I have probably not been where I should be as the most experienced bowler seamer the side. But like everyone, each week you’re trying to get better. Each week you’re trying to go out and put your best foot forward. Prepare as well as you can to give yourself the best chance and that’s the same over the last couple of days. I’ve done that.”

“But there’s no hiding from the fact that the last couple of Test matches have been disappointing. I know that. I’d always like more wickets. And hopefully, there’s some to come,” he further added.

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However, Tim Southee didn’t opt to bowl in the nets on Wednesday and ahead of his solo running session, he worked hard on his own on a practice pitch in the centre under the guidance of stand-in bowling coach Kyle Mills as well. And, Southee was hopeful about his recent bowling efforts, but he also said that he and Mills had identified a couple of areas to improve as well.

“I’ve felt okay at times,” Southee said. “Sometimes you feel good and you don’t get the wickets. Sometimes you feel not so good and you actually pick up a few wickets. So I think it’s just about trusting your game. Trusting what you do. I’ve worked hard over the last couple of days alongside Kyle Mills on a couple of things. So it’d be great to finish the season strong. Just a couple of minor things that we’ve been looking at over the last couple of days. You don’t always get the wickets you feel like you should but hopefully I can contribute to what should be a good week.”

“I think no one’s getting any younger” Tim Southee

He also becomes the first bowler to play 100 international matches in each format this week. It is a remarkable achievement. He has shown an amazing ability to adapt and played across 16 years at the top of the game. He also shared that his desire to evolve is still there as well.

“I think no one’s getting any younger,” Tim Southee concluded. “But the desire to train, to work hard away from the game is still there. It’s an absolute honour to do what we do and represent our country and I still love that. I still wake up every morning hoping to go out there and do people proud and put performances on the board. So as long as that’s still there and you can come live to those standards then…”

Three cricketers have made it to a hundred games each in all three formats. Tim Southee now joins David Warner, Ross Taylor, and Virat Kohli on the list. The significant aspect, though, is that he is the first fast bowler and could well be the last to get here.

His teammate, Kane Williamson, is getting to his 100th Test as well in the upcoming game. If Williamson, though, is the sponge of the side, Tim Southee will go down as an omnipresent member. Tim Southee displaying such levels of longevity is certainly an extraordinary feat for someone who generally minds his own business and stays away from doing the extraordinary.

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While many talk about the longevity of James Anderson, Tim Southee, who is five years younger, has the potential to make it to similar discussions. He has played alongside Stephen Fleming, who started his career in 1994, and is around while Will O Rourke makes his Test debut. Starting with a Test five that contained the wickets of Michael Vaughan and Kevin Pieterson, Tim Southee has come a very long way.

His success at home, though, was followed by early challenges away. While Southee had some support in Australia when the ball swung he had his struggles on the flatter or bouncier tracks. Not the fastest, Tim Southee, along with Trent Boult went on for a long time asking batters simple but tricky questions.

Maintaining a nagging length while getting incredible swing is where the duo succeeded. Trent Boult unfortunately went on another past, leaving Tim Southee on his own with his journey to a hundred Tests. His success with swing, though, is not only within New Zealand and England. Tim Southee has had his success in India as well, with a seven-wicket haul at Bangalore.

He, along with his double act, Trent Boult, who is always mentioned with Southee, found ways to extract reverse swing as they grew in experience. Two days away from his 100th Test, though questions are being asked. With Southee only managing ten wickets in his last eight innings, the concerns are growing. For now, though, Tim Southee will go down as the first fast bowler to play a hundred games each across three formats.

New Zealand is poised to commence their World Test Championship cycle with a two-Test series against Bangladesh in Bangladesh starting on November 28, and Captain Tim Southee foresees spin playing a significant role. Although New Zealand, renowned for thriving in pace-friendly conditions at home, has not played a Test in Bangladesh since 2013, their full-strength squad, bolstered by spin specialists like Ish Sodhi and Ajaz Patel, is well-prepared for the challenge.

The squad also includes spinners Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, and Rachin Ravindra, with Santner and Ravindra returning to the Test side after gaps since 2021 and early 2022, respectively. Southee expresses confidence in his spin attack, anticipating their success against a Bangladesh side without key batters Shakib Al Hasan and Litton Das.

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Return of Spin: Southee Anticipates Subcontinent Challenge in Bangladesh Tests

In the absence of Shakib and Litton, New Zealand’s formidable lineup, featuring Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham, and Devon Conway, aims to confront Bangladesh’s spinners, including Taijul Islam and Mehidy Hasan Miraz. Southee acknowledges the absence of Shakib and Litton but believes it provides an opportunity for others to step into those roles.

Southee expects a competitive showing from Bangladesh, led by Najmul Hossain Shanto, even without key players like Shakib, Litton, Ebadot Hossain, and Taskin Ahmed. The first Test is scheduled for November 28 in Sylhet, followed by the second in Dhaka on December 6.

Test Squads:
Bangladesh: Shadman Islam, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Nurul Hasan (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Shahadat Hossain, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam, Taijul Islam, Khaled Ahmed, Mominul Haque, Hasan Murad, Nayeem Hasan

New Zealand: Tim Southee (c), Tom Blundell (wk), Devon Conway, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Kane Williamson, Will Young, Neil Wagner