December 17, 2024: Tim Southee bid farewell to international cricket in unforgettable fashion, helping New Zealand secure a dominant 423-run victory over England in his final Test match. Not only did the Kiwis defend a massive 658-run total to crush England, but Southee also contributed with the bat, hitting three sixes in a cameo of 23 runs during New Zealand’s first innings—just two short of the milestone of 100 Test sixes. In the final innings of his career, he also picked up two crucial wickets, dismissing Ben Duckett and Jacob Bethell, further solidifying his legacy.
During the post-match presentation, an emotional Southee took a moment to reflect on his 17-year international journey and express his gratitude to those who supported him along the way. As quoted by Cricbuzz live commentary, he said, “Congratulations to England on a series win. As always, played in great spirit and a side I have enjoyed playing over the years. Taking this opportunity to thank a few people. First, New Zealand Cricket, for everything you have done over the last 17 years. Much appreciated. Family. They are the ones there for the ride through the ups and downs. Teammates—made the ride so enjoyable—and support staff as well. I would like to thank the fans. Always great to turn out in front of numbers, and this week’s been pretty special at Seddon Park to play in front of great crowds. Thank you. Look forward to watching on as a fan. All the best, boys.”
Southee’s retirement marks the end of a legendary career. With 776 international wickets, he is New Zealand’s all-time leading wicket-taker across formats. He finishes with 391 Test wickets, second only to Richard Hadlee’s 431, and is the most successful bowler in T20Is with 164 wickets. In ODIs, Southee ranks third on New Zealand’s all-time list with 221 wickets, behind Kyle Mills and Daniel Vettori.
In addition to his bowling prowess, Southee was also a reliable lower-order batter, scoring 3,288 runs in 394 matches across all formats, including 2,245 runs in Tests. He was particularly known for his striking ability, with 98 sixes in Test cricket—the fourth-most by any player in the format.
As he steps away from the game, Tim Southee leaves behind a remarkable legacy as one of New Zealand’s greatest cricketers, beloved by teammates, fans, and opponents alike. Though his playing days are over, Southee’s impact on New Zealand cricket will continue to resonate, and he looks forward to experiencing the sport from the stands as a fan.
