Christchurch, New Zealand

Veteran New Zealand seamer Tim Southee has decided to hang his boots from Tests at the end of the home series against England. Southee, 35, is second to Richard Hadlee (431) in the wickets tally for the Kiwis in Tests, having picked 385 scalps from 104 matches and counting. Besides, the hosts named a potent 14-man squad for England Tests, naming star batter Kane Williamson on the list.

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Should Southee get picked in the XI for all three Tests, his last game would come at his home ground in Hamilton – the venue for the third match. 

The right-arm seamer, who made his Test debut against the same opponent as a 19-year-old in the Napier Test in 2008, is set to bring his career full circle by playing his last game against England. He, however, will make himself available for selection should New Zealand qualify for the WTC 2025 Final scheduled next year in June at the Lord’s.

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Southee, who handed over the Test captaincy to Tom Latham ahead of the Asian tour, is yet to decide on his white-ball future. 

“Representing New Zealand was all I ever dreamed of growing up," Southee said in his retirement announcement adding, “To play for the Black Caps 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,” he continued.

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Sam Wells, the New Zealand selector, also acknowledged Southee’s decorated Test career, adding he still has some role to play in helping New Zealand qualify for the Test summit clash next year. 

"It's obviously a big series for the side in terms of the World Test Championship, and to also now be farewelling someone like Tim Southee only raises it up further. Tim has had a fabulous career and will go down as one of the great Black Caps,” Sam said.

Williamson returns to Test side

Kane Williamson, who missed the marquee away Test series against India, which New Zealand won 3-0, creating history, has recovered from a groin injury and was named in the 14-man squad for England Tests. 

While the hosts called up uncapped pair of seamer Jacob Duffy and all-rounder Nathan Smith, they included Mitchell Santner, who rocked India with his best Test figures in the Pune game earlier, for the second and third Tests against the Poms. 

Christchurch will host the first game on November 28, while Wellington and Hamilton are venues for the remaining two Tests.

New Zealand’s Test squad for England series –

Tom Latham (captain), Tom Blundell, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Will O'Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner (Tests 2 and 3), Nathan Smith, Tim Southee, Kane Williamson and Will Young

(With inputs from agencies)